Israeli President Isaac Herzog commented Friday morning on the tense events expected this upcoming Simchat Torah, against the background of the intention to hold a separate event in Dizengoff Square and the hearing expected today at the Supreme Court on the matter. Herzog condemned the events that took place on Yom Kippur and called them "unfathomable and unacceptable."

"Even as children in a non-religious Tel Aviv neighborhood, we celebrated the joyous and unifying custom of circumambulation with love and mutual respect, and so did thousands of others like us all over the country. These are real, honest and close events of love for Israel, which have become the property of all sections of the people. I have always felt that it is a deep and compelling part of identity. This year, during the Tishrei holidays, we experienced with great pain a number of events that prevented prayer; events that burned our hearts and were unimaginable and unacceptable," Herzog wrote.

״שישו ושמחו בשמחת תורה״

עוד כילדים בשכונה תל אביבית לא דתית חגגנו את מנהג ההקפות המשמח והמאחד באהבה וכבוד הדדי, וכך עוד אלפי אלפים כמונו בכל הארץ. אלה אירועים אמיתיים, כנים ומקרבים של אהבת ישראל, שהפכו לנחלתם של כל חלקי העם.

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) October 6, 2023

"Ahead of the festivities that we will celebrate tonight and tomorrow all over the country, I am personally addressing you, citizens of Israel, to each and every one of you, and calling to act with consideration, inclusion, respect and love for Israel during the circumambulation and in general, and to allow all of us, together, the feeling of the holiday and joy. Without provocations, without disruptions, no quarrels. Let's decide - enough with raising our voices, enough with raising our hands! On Simchat Torah, we must put our differences aside and return to the pure and rewarding joy of starting the new year and with it the round of reading the weekly passages," he added.

President Isaac Herzog's Simchat Torah Message 🕊

TL;DR: President Herzog urges unity, respect, and love for Israel during Simchat Torah celebrations, emphasizing the need to avoid disruptions and conflicts that mar the holiday spirit.

Specifically, Pres. Herzog said: "During… pic.twitter.com/pXvk2kvYeB

— Adam Albilya - אדם אלביליה (@AdamAlbilya) October 6, 2023

This comes after Rabbi Leo Dee, who lost his wife and two daughters who were murdered in an attack in the Jordan Valley, held a morning prayer Thursday morning in Dizengoff Square, this in response to the protesters who disrupted the prayer on Yom Kippur. Unfortunately, in an unprecedented manner this time as well, rioters attacked the rabbi while Tel Aviv Municipality inspectors removed the partition that had been erected there.

In an interview on an Israeli Morning show, Rabbi Dee referred to his decision to hold a prayer in Dizengoff Square: "We pray for religious freedom in the Land of Israel, I think every Jew would agree with that, we don't want to disturb people - the idea is to support the religious freedom of the citizens of the State of Israel."