Herzog Faces Criticism Over Claim Israel Is ‘Protecting the Free World’

Israeli President Isaac Herzog faced a wave of criticism after describing Israel as protecting “the West and the free world” while defending the war in Gaza as an act of self-defence.

The remarks drew challenges from activists who questioned how that description could be reconciled with the scale of destruction in Gaza.

“What free world is Israel protecting?” was the question at the heart of the backlash, challenging Herzog’s portrayal of the war as a defence of interests beyond Israel’s own borders.

The criticism centred on the gap between that message and the devastation in Gaza, with activists disputing the framing of Israel’s military campaign as protection for the wider world.