In a significant step toward building bridges between communities, President Isaac Herzog met yesterday morning, Monday, at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, with a delegation of Imams and Muslim community leaders from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The delegation, led by ELNET, brought together leading Muslim figures who came to Israel to promote a message of peace, coexistence and partnership between Muslims and Jews, and between Israel and the Muslim world.

This historic gathering comes at a crucial time when antisemitic incidents and anti-Jewish hate crimes have surged globally, particularly across European communities, following the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel. The meeting represents a powerful response to rising extremism and hatred, demonstrating that religious leaders from different faiths can unite in their commitment to peace and mutual understanding.

The European Leadership Network (ELNET), a nongovernmental, nonpartisan organization established in 2007 to enhance Israel-EU relations, organized this week-long visit. The 15-member delegation of Muslim imams arrives at a time when interfaith dialogue has become more critical than ever, as communities across Europe grapple with increasing polarization and religious tensions.

The President stressed the importance of the delegation, and Israel’s commitment and strong desire to advance to a new era of inclusion and peace in the Middle East. The President stressed the vital role of the Muslim population in Israel, which he noted was an integral part of Israeli society. The group spoke with the President about the importance of their visit, their love and friendship for Israel and the Jewish people, and of the need to show an alternative to extremism.

During the meeting, President Herzog shared powerful insights about the reality of coexistence in Israel, drawing from recent experiences that highlighted the unity among different faith communities. “Here in Israel, we see shared life in action. It’s incredible to witness. You mentioned October 7—I can tell you that on October 8, I was at Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva, and I was there again three weeks ago when a rocket hit the hospital. The staff—Jews, Muslims, Christians, people of all faiths—simply worked together in a way I wish the whole world could see.”

The president emphasized the shared heritage between Jewish and Muslim communities, stating: “We are all children of Abraham, and I believe the historic progress in our region is a progress of dialogue—between Muslims and Jews, and Jews and Muslims. In the face of radical forces that try to block this progress and the true desire of Isaac and Ishmael to live together, there are other forces—growing stronger every day along the arc of history—that are advancing this vision. And what you’re doing on this visit, and in your courageous work, reflects the silent majority in the Middle East and around the world who yearn for this kind of shared life.”

Herzog addressed the broader significance of the delegation’s visit, recognizing their courage in standing against extremism within their own communities. “You are people of spirit, people of faith, religious leaders—you carry an important message of love for humanity, and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ This is how we repair the world. I ask you to bring back to your communities and societies a message of peace—salaam—perhaps even a message of peace yet to come. I hope that peace will come with Syria, with Lebanon, inshallah even with Saudi Arabia, and that we will continue moving forward.”

The president’s message extended beyond the immediate region, expressing hope for an end to current conflicts while emphasizing Israel’s desire for peaceful coexistence. “Please tell your leaders: Here in Israel, we want peace. We want to see all our hostages back home, and we want to see an end to the suffering of the people in Gaza too. We want to see better lives for everyone. Inshallah, may we all pray together—for peace, for love of humanity, and for a life shared by people of all faiths, here in the Holy Land, in the Middle East, and around the world.”

Leading the delegation, Chairman of the Conference of Imams of France and Imam of Drancy, Imam Hassen Chalghoumi thanked the President and delivered a heartfelt message of solidarity. “My message to you is one of deep affection—for you and for your remarkable people. It is a message of brotherhood and solidarity, and a heartfelt prayer that the hostages will return home in peace, and that the pain and suffering of innocent civilians in Gaza will come to an end.”

Chalghoumi provided a powerful framework for understanding the current regional challenges, stating: “What we have witnessed since October 7 is not merely a conflict between Israel and Hamas, nor between Israel and Hezbollah—the so-called ‘Party of Satan’. Rather, it is a confrontation between two fundamentally different worlds. You represent the world of brotherhood, of humanity, of compassion. You stand for the values of democracy and liberty.”

The delegation members spoke passionately about the need to present an alternative to extremism within their communities, emphasizing their commitment to building bridges rather than walls. Their presence in Jerusalem during such a challenging time demonstrates remarkable courage and dedication to the principles of peace and understanding.

They ended with an emotional prayer for peace and singing of the lyrics of Israel’s national anthem the Hatikvah, symbolizing hope for a better future built on mutual understanding and respect. This powerful moment encapsulated the spirit of the entire visit—showing that despite ongoing conflicts and rising tensions, there remains a strong commitment to dialogue, peace, and mutual respect among religious leaders from different faiths.

The meeting underscores the importance of continued interfaith cooperation in addressing the challenges facing both communities and working toward a more peaceful and inclusive future for all. This interfaith initiative represents a significant step in combating rising antisemitism and promoting understanding between Jewish and Muslim communities across Europe and the Middle East.

The delegation’s visit serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that the path to peace lies not in the voices of extremism that dominate headlines, but in the quiet courage of religious leaders who choose dialogue over division, understanding over hatred, and hope over despair. Their message resonates far beyond the walls of the President’s Residence, offering a vision of what is possible when people of faith come together in the spirit of peace and brotherhood.

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