A Message from the Israeli President to 'Children of Lebanon'

Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced on Tuesday that he intends to become a teacher after completing his presidential term, during a visit to students in northern Israel to mark the start of the school year.

Speaking during a visit to Gfanim Elementary School in Kibbutz Ein Hamifratz, Herzog said: "Teaching is a noble, great, and highly respected profession, and I have already declared that I intend to become a teacher once I finish my term as state president."

Herzog's seven-year term will end in July 2028.

Herzog and his wife Michal discussed the security challenges facing communities in northern Israel and called for peace.

Herzog said in a message addressed to children of Lebanon: "You deserve peace, and our children deserve peace," Herzog said.

He added: "And for that reason, we must do everything in our power to ensure that Hezbollah is not here, and instead, we have borders marked by peace."

As part of the visit, the president and first lady released a red balloon in support of the safe return of Haimanot Kasaw, an Ethiopian girl who was nine years old when she disappeared from a migrant absorption center in Safed in 2024.

The Kasaw family had urged Israeli children to bring red balloons to their schools, as a global symbol for kidnapped children.