(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)

President Isaac Herzog today (Sunday, December 21, 2025) delivered remarks at a ceremony to mark one week since the deadly terror attack in Sydney, Australia. The ceremony, which was held at the National Institutions Building in Jerusalem, was also attended by the Chairman of the World Zionist Organization, Mr. Yaakov Hagoel, officials of the Australian Embassy in Israel, and members of the bereaved families.

Remarks by President Herzog:

“Beloved sisters and brothers in Australia, shalom to all of you from Jerusalem, our eternal capital.

We know that each year, the Australian Jewish community is among the first in the world to welcome Chanukah. It is among the first to light candles and celebrate the miracles of the Jewish people.

Tragically this year, instead of lighting the first candle, our sisters and brothers ran for cover. Instead of singing ‘Maoz Tzur,’ our families searched for shelter. Instead of ‘Shehecheyanu,’ there was Kaddish.

Tonight, on the 8th and final candle of Chanukah, I want to say to the Jews of Australia: the people of Israel are with you. Despite thousands of miles between us, we feel your pain, we see your courage under fire, we share your sense of abandonment, shock, and horror.

Here in Jerusalem, we heard your hearts break, and felt our own hearts steeped with grief. We send our sincerest condolences to all those grieving their loved ones, and our warmest wishes for the speedy recovery of all those wounded.

Friends, I have witnessed the resilience and depth of Australian Jewry. I hope to be able to visit you all soon in Australia and bring you a message of love from the State of Israel, to hug you and console you on behalf of the nation and people of Israel. I know I will encounter great strength, warmth, and love of Israel from all of you.

The rise in Jew-hatred across the world is a global emergency. The battle against antisemitism must be everyone’s battle against antisemitism. This is an urgent call to action to prevent the next catastrophe. We will not stand for this.

In each nation, combatting antisemitism requires very strong and tough measures, and strong leadership. It requires ordinary people rejecting lies and bias, embracing diversity, humanity, and truth.

The Australian heroes who intervened and came to the rescue at Bondi, who came to pay their respects, will forever be remembered for their kindness. 

We will not allow the hatred to break us. We will not allow terror to diminish our light, our unity, our peoplehood, our mutual responsibility, our eternity.

Together we will defeat this darkness. By lighting, now, 15 memorial candles to memorialize those we lost. By lighting one more Chanukah candle, tonight, all over the world. By calling out, loud and clear: long live the Jewish people eternally, Am Yisrael Chai.”

Jerusalem, 21 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — A short while ago, Israel struck a Hezbollah terrorist in the area of Yater in southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces said.

Jerusalem, 21 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Tel Aviv University (TAU) and Google Israel have launched a new three-year program to advance research in core areas of artificial intelligence (AI). Google.org is providing $1 million in funding to support scholarships, research grants, and educational initiatives. The program, led by TAU’s Center for AI & Data Science under Prof. Yishay Mansour, will focus on foundational AI research, including language models, algorithmic efficiency, and privacy.

New initiatives include an honors program for graduate students and the BITS of AI program for teens from Israel’s geographic and social peripheries.

Jerusalem, 21 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israeli Police arrested two residents of eastern Jerusalem on suspicion of involvement in detonating an improvised explosive device inside a vehicle while it was being driven, police said Sunday.

Officers responded over the weekend to reports of a car accident in which a private vehicle caught fire in the capital. An initial examination found that an explosion had occurred inside the car, apparently caused by an IED. One occupant was seriously injured and evacuated to hospital, and the vehicle sustained heavy damage.

The suspects were arrested shortly afterward, and police are expected to seek an extension of their detention in court.

It wasn’t immediately clear if the incident was terror or criminal in nature.

Jerusalem, 21 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israeli creator economy platform Humanz has raised $15 million in new funding and completed two strategic acquisitions as it accelerates global expansion, the Tel Aviv-based company announced. The latest round brings total funding to $32 million following 250% year-on-year growth.

Humanz also acquired U.S.-based Ubiquitous and performance marketing platform Bambassadors, moves aimed at strengthening its presence in the American market while expanding its AI-driven capabilities. Founded in Israel in 2017, Humanz has grown rapidly across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States, which has become its main growth engine.

The new capital will be used to enhance AI infrastructure and support additional acquisitions planned for early 2026.

Jerusalem, 20 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Earlier on Saturday, IDF soldiers shot and killed two terrorists who were observed crossing the Gaza ceasefire’s Yellow Line in the northern Strip, according to the Israeli military.

The military stated that forces from the IDF’s 16th Brigade operating in the northern Strip had identified the terrorists, who were subsequently shot dead by the Israeli Air Force.

Jerusalem, 20 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Amid Israeli concerns that Iran is increasing its ballistic missile production, NBC reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to present a new plan for attacking the Iran during his meeting with US President Donald Trump. According to the American network, this information came from a source familiar with the plans and four former American officials who were briefed on the matter. The report also states that Israel is concerned that Iran is renewing its nuclear enrichment sites, but that the threats posed by renewed ballistic weapons and repaired air defences are more urgent.

Jerusalem, 20 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler has stated that Israel is opposed to Ankara’s involvement in the International Stabilization Force in Gaza, although negotiations are ongoing. Güler underlined that Turkey’s “determination and decision regarding participation in the stability maintenance force in Gaza remain unchanged.” “All preparations have been completed, including the military unit that will be deployed,” the Turkish Minister added.

Jerusalem, 19 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — According to the IDF spokesperson, a report was received today regarding a possible kidnapping of an Israeli civilian in Jericho.”Upon receiving the report, IDF forces moved quickly to the scene and began conducting searches in the area. Civil Administration forces worked to establish contact with the civilian, and after contact was established, they located and protected her until she was handed over to security forces. We emphasize that entry of Israeli civilians into Area A territories is dangerous and prohibited by law,” the statement said. The civilian is in good health.