Israel's First 'Son' President Following His Father in History

87 out of 120 Knesset Members Receive Votes

Isaac Herzog (center), elected as the 11th president, raises a toast with his wife Michal (left) during the parliamentary vote held on the 2nd (local time) at the Knesset (Parliament) in Jerusalem, Israel. He is the son of Chaim Herzog (died in 1997), who served as Israel's 6th president from 1983 to 1993. The president of Israel is a largely symbolic head of state with little executive power, primarily overseeing tasks such as coalition formation after general elections.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] For the first time in Israeli history, a son has succeeded his father as president.

On the 2nd (local time), the Israeli Knesset (parliament) elected Isaac Herzog as the 11th president through a vote by its members. On that day, 87 out of 120 Knesset members cast their votes for Herzog.

President-elect Herzog is the son of former President Chaim Herzog (died in 1997), who served as Israel's 6th president from 1983 to 1993.

The president-elect said, "I will be a president who listens to everyone, regardless of their position or story. I will be a bridge for consensus."

He added, "We must not underestimate the great challenges Israel faces. We must protect Israel's status and reputation in the international community and fight against anti-Semitism and hatred toward Israel."

Since 2018, the president-elect has served as chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, which oversees the 'Aliyah' (return to Israel) of Jews worldwide. He studied at Cornell University and New York University in the United States. After military service, he majored in law at Tel Aviv University and began his career at a law firm founded by his father.

In the 2003 general election, he became a member of parliament representing the Labor Party, and when the Labor Party joined the coalition led by Ariel Sharon, he was appointed Minister of Housing and Construction.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.