Grapevine, March 8, 2024: The voice of Israel

• Published date: 08 March 2024
• Author: GREER FAY CASHMAN
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

But since October 7, the "Voice" of Israel has become Michal Herzog, the wife of President Isaac Herzog. Although many people have spoken out against the cruel, inhuman conduct of Hamas, particularly the brutal attacks on women by Hamas sadists, few have spoken out as frequently or in as many influential circles as Michal Herzog, who has made eliminating violent sexual abuse and the use of women and children as weapons of war as her cause

She brings the subject up in conversation at every opportunity and does not allow her listeners to forget that the key victims are those Israeli women abducted by Hamas.

"They cannot cry out for themselves," she tells her audience. "We have to be their voice. We have to cry out for them." She has heard the most shocking and heart-breaking stories about these women, and she has ample opportunity to speak out on their behalf during the month of International Women's Day, as her schedule includes somewhere in the range of a dozen events in various parts of the country – and she is invited to speak at all of them.

Among those that she attended this week was one hosted by the Israel Building Center (IBC) in Netanya, where other speakers focused on different aspects of the construction and housing industry, such as architecture, neighborhood, marketing, interior décor, the psychology of the decision-making process and more. The event attended by numerous women executives who represented varied careers, was moderated by Ilanit Melchior, who before she became head of strategy at IBC was the longtime director of tourism at the Jerusalem Development Authority, with considerable experience in both public and private sectors.

She reminded Herzog that she had said of her when she entered the President's Residence as the wife of the President of the State that there was no-one better suited to be Israel's first lady. What has happened in the interim vindicates that opinion, said Melchior.

Not to be outdone, IBC chairman Eran Rolls, who was one of a handful of men who were present, declared that Isaac Herzog was the best president in Israel's history.

In keeping with the occasion, Rolls was pleased to see women in executive positions in every field.

Although this was indeed something to celebrate, the fact that there were Israeli hostages who were unable to celebrate, remained paramount in everyone's consciousness. On every seat, there was a yellow tulip – a flower whose petals are usually closed just as the hostages are in closure...