Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)
Monday, 22 December 2025 / 2 Tevet 5786
President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece Visit Family of Terror Victim
On Monday, December 22, 2025, President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece visited the family of Ionas “Yona” Karussis, a 26-year-old architecture student who was murdered in a terror attack in Jaffa in October 2024. President Herzog and Prime Minister Kyriakos expressed their condolences to Ionas's parents, Professor Dimitrios Karussis and Dr. Ourania Karussis, Greek citizens who made their home in Jerusalem.
President Isaac Herzog:
"Welcome, dear Prime Minister, to Jerusalem. We are in the home of the Karussis family, whose son, Ionas, was murdered by terrorists last year in Jaffa, and we feel that there's a bridge here of Israelis and Greeks.
"The relationship between Israel and Greece has grown dramatically, and you're here for a trilateral meeting, also with Cyprus. I think we can develop the Eastern Mediterranean in a very substantial way for the benefit of all nations of the region, including our neighbors, the Palestinians, and, of course, the Arab states, going all the way to India. This has huge potential for so many things that humanity wants to see.
"But the fact that we are here in this home tells us and reminds us that we have to fight our enemies, and we have to change the reality in the region for a better future so that beautiful flowers like Ionas will not be killed by terrible people that surround us. Thank you for coming, and welcome to Israel."
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis:
"Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you to the Karussis family for being so kind to open up their house welcoming us today. Ionas's assassination was a tragic event which reminds us of the necessity to fight terrorism in all its forms. And I want, again, to offer to the parents of Ionas our full support. We plan next year to fund a scholarship in his memory, and I know that his life might have been cut short by this horrible terrorist, but he left behind him a legacy of goodness, and his memory will live on.
"The Karussis family is a bridge of friendship between our two countries. Rest assured, Mr. President, that the strategic relationship between Greece and Israel has never been stronger. And if you include also Cyprus, as you said, you have three countries that are working together for a peaceful and stable Eastern Mediterranean. And this should be the hope of all of us, especially as we come towards Christmas, a celebration of peace and friendship. This is the spirit that we want present in this part of the world."
Attached photo credits: Haim Zach (GPO)
Benjamin Lee, benjaminl@president.gov.il, 050-6169572
Monday, 22 December 2025 / 2 Tevet 5786
President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece Visit Family of Terror Victim
On Monday, December 22, 2025, President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece visited the family of Ionas “Yona” Karussis, a 26-year-old architecture student who was murdered in a terror attack in Jaffa in October 2024. President Herzog and Prime Minister Kyriakos expressed their condolences to Ionas's parents, Professor Dimitrios Karussis and Dr. Ourania Karussis, Greek citizens who made their home in Jerusalem.
President Isaac Herzog:
"Welcome, dear Prime Minister, to Jerusalem. We are in the home of the Karussis family, whose son, Ionas, was murdered by terrorists last year in Jaffa, and we feel that there's a bridge here of Israelis and Greeks.
"The relationship between Israel and Greece has grown dramatically, and you're here for a trilateral meeting, also with Cyprus. I think we can develop the Eastern Mediterranean in a very substantial way for the benefit of all nations of the region, including our neighbors, the Palestinians, and, of course, the Arab states, going all the way to India. This has huge potential for so many things that humanity wants to see.
"But the fact that we are here in this home tells us and reminds us that we have to fight our enemies, and we have to change the reality in the region for a better future so that beautiful flowers like Ionas will not be killed by terrible people that surround us. Thank you for coming, and welcome to Israel."
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis:
"Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you to the Karussis family for being so kind to open up their house welcoming us today. Ionas's assassination was a tragic event which reminds us of the necessity to fight terrorism in all its forms. And I want, again, to offer to the parents of Ionas our full support. We plan next year to fund a scholarship in his memory, and I know that his life might have been cut short by this horrible terrorist, but he left behind him a legacy of goodness, and his memory will live on.
"The Karussis family is a bridge of friendship between our two countries. Rest assured, Mr. President, that the strategic relationship between Greece and Israel has never been stronger. And if you include also Cyprus, as you said, you have three countries that are working together for a peaceful and stable Eastern Mediterranean. And this should be the hope of all of us, especially as we come towards Christmas, a celebration of peace and friendship. This is the spirit that we want present in this part of the world."
Attached photo credits: Haim Zach (GPO)
Benjamin Lee, benjaminl@president.gov.il, 050-6169572
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "A special state commission of inquiry, an egalitarian commission between the opposition and the coalition, is the right way to clarify the truth."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Monday, 22 December 2025) [translated from Hebrew]:
"Dear citizens of Israel, today the Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved the bill to establish a special state commission of inquiry. This will be an egalitarian commission to investigate the events of October 7th and the circumstances that led to them.
We are talking about an independent commission of inquiry, with full powers, exactly as defined in the Commissions of Inquiry Law.
Contrary to what has been claimed, politicians will not be members of the commission. The composition of the commission’s members will be determined equally: Half by the coalition and half by the opposition.
The commission will be composed of experts in security, academia, and law, as well as bereaved parents who will serve as observers.
I want to clarify something here: The Government could have established a governmental board of inquiry, with a composition determined entirely by the government. But I believed that such a commission would have gained the trust of only one part of the public. By the same token, a commission of inquiry whose composition was determined exclusively by Justice Yitzhak Amit, as the opposition proposes, would have had only a small portion of the public believing in it.
The majority of the public, unequivocally, supports an egalitarian commission of inquiry, and there is a good reason for that.
An unprecedented event like October 7th requires a special commission of inquiry, a broad national commission that will be acceptable to the majority of the nation. This will be an egalitarian commission. No side will have any advantage in appointing the members of the commission.
Following the greatest disaster in our history, we are acting exactly as the United States acted after the greatest disaster in American history.
After the attack on the Twin Towers on September 11th, President Bush enacted a special law that established a special commission of inquiry. And what was that commission? An egalitarian commission between the two sides of the political aisle.
No one complained then of 'political bias,' and I must say that its conclusions received broad legitimacy for that very reason.
This is exactly what we are doing. If one truly wants to reach the truth, if one truly does not want to allow a cover-up, how can one oppose this?!
I say to the opposition: By all means, bring whatever experts you want, ask whatever you want, investigate whomever you want, including me.
The mandate of the commission and the boundaries of the investigation will be determined by the Government. This is not new. This is not unique. This is the practice in all commissions of inquiry of any kind. Therefore, there is nothing unique or irregular here. On the contrary, this is the accepted procedure.
And I promise you, all topics will be examined without exception – the diplomatic, the security, the intelligence, and the legal – everything.
Today, I convened a team of ministers to formulate alternatives for the scope of the investigation, and the proposal will be brought to the Government for approval. And I am convinced: a special state commission of inquiry, an egalitarian commission between opposition and coalition, is the right way to clarify the truth."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Monday, 22 December 2025) [translated from Hebrew]:
"Dear citizens of Israel, today the Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved the bill to establish a special state commission of inquiry. This will be an egalitarian commission to investigate the events of October 7th and the circumstances that led to them.
We are talking about an independent commission of inquiry, with full powers, exactly as defined in the Commissions of Inquiry Law.
Contrary to what has been claimed, politicians will not be members of the commission. The composition of the commission’s members will be determined equally: Half by the coalition and half by the opposition.
The commission will be composed of experts in security, academia, and law, as well as bereaved parents who will serve as observers.
I want to clarify something here: The Government could have established a governmental board of inquiry, with a composition determined entirely by the government. But I believed that such a commission would have gained the trust of only one part of the public. By the same token, a commission of inquiry whose composition was determined exclusively by Justice Yitzhak Amit, as the opposition proposes, would have had only a small portion of the public believing in it.
The majority of the public, unequivocally, supports an egalitarian commission of inquiry, and there is a good reason for that.
An unprecedented event like October 7th requires a special commission of inquiry, a broad national commission that will be acceptable to the majority of the nation. This will be an egalitarian commission. No side will have any advantage in appointing the members of the commission.
Following the greatest disaster in our history, we are acting exactly as the United States acted after the greatest disaster in American history.
After the attack on the Twin Towers on September 11th, President Bush enacted a special law that established a special commission of inquiry. And what was that commission? An egalitarian commission between the two sides of the political aisle.
No one complained then of 'political bias,' and I must say that its conclusions received broad legitimacy for that very reason.
This is exactly what we are doing. If one truly wants to reach the truth, if one truly does not want to allow a cover-up, how can one oppose this?!
I say to the opposition: By all means, bring whatever experts you want, ask whatever you want, investigate whomever you want, including me.
The mandate of the commission and the boundaries of the investigation will be determined by the Government. This is not new. This is not unique. This is the practice in all commissions of inquiry of any kind. Therefore, there is nothing unique or irregular here. On the contrary, this is the accepted procedure.
And I promise you, all topics will be examined without exception – the diplomatic, the security, the intelligence, and the legal – everything.
Today, I convened a team of ministers to formulate alternatives for the scope of the investigation, and the proposal will be brought to the Government for approval. And I am convinced: a special state commission of inquiry, an egalitarian commission between opposition and coalition, is the right way to clarify the truth."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Statement at the Trilateral Summit with the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, and the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Monday, 22 December 2025):
“President Christodoulides, Nikos,
Prime Minister Mitsotakis, Kyriakos,
This is not our first meeting. It's our tenth meeting. But I said in our discussions that I think it's the most consequential.
The last time the three of us met was a short time before the October 7th massacre, before terror once again reminded us that stability in this region is never guaranteed, and that strength, clarity and cooperation are not options. They are a must.
The Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean are being tested by aggression, terrorism and instability.
Our partnership provides strength, clarity and cooperation that will prevail over chaos.
It also offers new opportunities for prosperity.
We are cooperating, and discussed in detail cooperation, in many fields: energy, technology, connectivity and also security, that guarantees this all.
We will advance IMEC, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. This is an idea that has been brought forward before, but we think we have to put it into reality. It's a maritime and rail pipeline, energy pipeline and cable connectivity between Asia and Europe going through Israel, Cyprus and Greece.
As part of this effort, we are advancing the great sea connector that will enable electric energy cooperation between our three countries and Europe, and the Arabian Peninsula, and ultimately you can connect it to Asia as well. So, this is a big thing, and in many ways it's the skeleton of the IMEC corridor. We discussed practically how to move this forward, and we intend to advance it. I'll also discuss it in my upcoming meeting with President Trump in the United States.
We agreed to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and advanced research.
Israel is already a global technology leader, and together with Greece and Cyprus, we will shape the region's future in cutting-edge new technologies.
I want to tell you that a lot is going on right now. Israeli companies, hi-tech companies are flocking to Cyprus and to Greece. It basically says that they believe in the economic management. We're not jealous. We believe in competition.
There are, what? 137 flights a week? 186 flights a week between Israel and Cyprus. It's unbelievable. Just compute that. How many flights a day?
I don't know of many Israeli investors who have not visited Greece or who are not investing in Greece. Increasing amounts are growing there, and again, I think this is a sign of the dynamism of our economies, Israel's economy which has been rated third by The Economist as the third most vibrant economy in the planet. I think we were shortchanged, but that's alright. But I believe that there is dynamism here, there is at once great opportunity but also great challenges, and we recognize them.
We affirmed our commitment to expanding the Abraham Accords, to widening the circle of cooperation between Israel and the Arab world.
We also expressed support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and for a future in which legitimate state institutions hold authority and military power, and not terrorist militias.
We agreed today to deepen our security and defense cooperation.
The threats we face are real.
Together, we are defending not only our own nations, but vital sea lanes and critical infrastructure that the global economy depends on.
I cannot skip the opportunity to call for the immediate return of Ran Gvili, the Israeli hostage that is still held by Hamas. This is contrary to the laws of war, and this is something that has to be completed.
But we are, in general, fighting a battle for an orderly future of states that want to seize the future, against those forces who want to drag us back to a dark medieval past that has nothing to do with modernity, and nothing to do with progress.
Israel, Greece and Cyprus are three ancient countries with
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Monday, 22 December 2025):
“President Christodoulides, Nikos,
Prime Minister Mitsotakis, Kyriakos,
This is not our first meeting. It's our tenth meeting. But I said in our discussions that I think it's the most consequential.
The last time the three of us met was a short time before the October 7th massacre, before terror once again reminded us that stability in this region is never guaranteed, and that strength, clarity and cooperation are not options. They are a must.
The Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean are being tested by aggression, terrorism and instability.
Our partnership provides strength, clarity and cooperation that will prevail over chaos.
It also offers new opportunities for prosperity.
We are cooperating, and discussed in detail cooperation, in many fields: energy, technology, connectivity and also security, that guarantees this all.
We will advance IMEC, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. This is an idea that has been brought forward before, but we think we have to put it into reality. It's a maritime and rail pipeline, energy pipeline and cable connectivity between Asia and Europe going through Israel, Cyprus and Greece.
As part of this effort, we are advancing the great sea connector that will enable electric energy cooperation between our three countries and Europe, and the Arabian Peninsula, and ultimately you can connect it to Asia as well. So, this is a big thing, and in many ways it's the skeleton of the IMEC corridor. We discussed practically how to move this forward, and we intend to advance it. I'll also discuss it in my upcoming meeting with President Trump in the United States.
We agreed to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and advanced research.
Israel is already a global technology leader, and together with Greece and Cyprus, we will shape the region's future in cutting-edge new technologies.
I want to tell you that a lot is going on right now. Israeli companies, hi-tech companies are flocking to Cyprus and to Greece. It basically says that they believe in the economic management. We're not jealous. We believe in competition.
There are, what? 137 flights a week? 186 flights a week between Israel and Cyprus. It's unbelievable. Just compute that. How many flights a day?
I don't know of many Israeli investors who have not visited Greece or who are not investing in Greece. Increasing amounts are growing there, and again, I think this is a sign of the dynamism of our economies, Israel's economy which has been rated third by The Economist as the third most vibrant economy in the planet. I think we were shortchanged, but that's alright. But I believe that there is dynamism here, there is at once great opportunity but also great challenges, and we recognize them.
We affirmed our commitment to expanding the Abraham Accords, to widening the circle of cooperation between Israel and the Arab world.
We also expressed support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and for a future in which legitimate state institutions hold authority and military power, and not terrorist militias.
We agreed today to deepen our security and defense cooperation.
The threats we face are real.
Together, we are defending not only our own nations, but vital sea lanes and critical infrastructure that the global economy depends on.
I cannot skip the opportunity to call for the immediate return of Ran Gvili, the Israeli hostage that is still held by Hamas. This is contrary to the laws of war, and this is something that has to be completed.
But we are, in general, fighting a battle for an orderly future of states that want to seize the future, against those forces who want to drag us back to a dark medieval past that has nothing to do with modernity, and nothing to do with progress.
Israel, Greece and Cyprus are three ancient countries with
ancient peoples.
Jerusalem and Athens are the foundations of Western civilization, and in Cyprus both cultures flourished.
You have to go to the Western Wall in Jerusalem; or you go to the Acropolis in Athens; or you go to the incredible historic museum in Nicosia, which I did, and you see the glory of our past.
All three of us are very proud of our history in our ancestral homelands as we seize the future.
Now it is true that all of our countries were conquered in the past by a succession of empires.
But through courage and sacrifice, we achieved our independence in modern times.
Greece -195 years ago; Israel - 78 years ago; Cyprus - 65 years ago.
To those who fantasize they can reestablish their empires and their dominion over our lands, I say: Forget it. It's not going to happen. Don’t even think about it.
We are committed and able to defend ourselves and our cooperation further enhances that capability.
Together, we three genuine democracies in the Eastern Mediterranean shall advance security, prosperity and liberty.
With God's help, we will bring a brighter and safer future to our nations and to the entire region.
Together, we bring stability through strength, prosperity through strength, and most important, peace through strength.
I wish you all Happy Holidays.
Thank you."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtInU1QSowc
Video credit: GPO
Jerusalem and Athens are the foundations of Western civilization, and in Cyprus both cultures flourished.
You have to go to the Western Wall in Jerusalem; or you go to the Acropolis in Athens; or you go to the incredible historic museum in Nicosia, which I did, and you see the glory of our past.
All three of us are very proud of our history in our ancestral homelands as we seize the future.
Now it is true that all of our countries were conquered in the past by a succession of empires.
But through courage and sacrifice, we achieved our independence in modern times.
Greece -195 years ago; Israel - 78 years ago; Cyprus - 65 years ago.
To those who fantasize they can reestablish their empires and their dominion over our lands, I say: Forget it. It's not going to happen. Don’t even think about it.
We are committed and able to defend ourselves and our cooperation further enhances that capability.
Together, we three genuine democracies in the Eastern Mediterranean shall advance security, prosperity and liberty.
With God's help, we will bring a brighter and safer future to our nations and to the entire region.
Together, we bring stability through strength, prosperity through strength, and most important, peace through strength.
I wish you all Happy Holidays.
Thank you."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtInU1QSowc
Video credit: GPO
Joint Declaration: The 10th Trilateral Summit of Israel, Greece, and Cyprus
Jerusalem, December 22, 2025
Please see the attached PDF & JPEG files
Attached photo credits: Ma'ayan Toaf (GPO)
Jerusalem, December 22, 2025
Please see the attached PDF & JPEG files
Attached photo credits: Ma'ayan Toaf (GPO)
Gpo news
Dear all, The *National Public Diplomacy Directorate* would like to invite you to an on the record briefing regarding current developments with Shosh Bedrosian, Communications Specialist. *TODAY 15.30, MONDAY 22nd DECEMBER 2025, ISRAEL TIME.* These issues…
ICYMI: A recording of today's English press briefing/update with Communications Specialist Shosh Bedrosian is available at the following link: https://hasbara.gpolive.co.il/pages/preview.php?ref=380
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(Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)
Tuesday, 22 December 2025 / 3 Tevet 5786
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls President Isaac Herzog after the terror attack on the Jewish community in Australia
President Herzog was invited to visit Australia by the Australian government and the Jewish community
Earlier today, the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, called the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog.
Prime Minister Albanese expressed his profound shock and dismay over the terror attack against the Australian Jewish community in Sydney last week and conveyed his deep sorrow to the families of the victims.
President Herzog also expressed his deep horror and shock over the catastrophic terror attack at the Jewish community Chanukah event on Bondi Beach. He conveyed his profound condolences to the families of the victims and his wishes for a speedy recovery for all those injured. President Herzog underscored the importance of taking all legal measures to combat the unprecedented rise in antisemitism, extremism, and jihadist terror.
Prime Minister Albanese advised President Herzog that, upon the recommendation of the Australian government and in accordance with protocol, the Governor-General of Australia will issue an invitation to President Herzog to visit Australia as soon as possible. President Herzog said that he would accept the invitation and mentioned that the President of the Zionist Federation of Australia also sent him an official invitation expressing his wish for President Herzog to visit, and he intends to do so.
Benjamin Lee, benjaminl@president.gov.il, 050-6169572
Tuesday, 22 December 2025 / 3 Tevet 5786
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls President Isaac Herzog after the terror attack on the Jewish community in Australia
President Herzog was invited to visit Australia by the Australian government and the Jewish community
Earlier today, the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, called the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog.
Prime Minister Albanese expressed his profound shock and dismay over the terror attack against the Australian Jewish community in Sydney last week and conveyed his deep sorrow to the families of the victims.
President Herzog also expressed his deep horror and shock over the catastrophic terror attack at the Jewish community Chanukah event on Bondi Beach. He conveyed his profound condolences to the families of the victims and his wishes for a speedy recovery for all those injured. President Herzog underscored the importance of taking all legal measures to combat the unprecedented rise in antisemitism, extremism, and jihadist terror.
Prime Minister Albanese advised President Herzog that, upon the recommendation of the Australian government and in accordance with protocol, the Governor-General of Australia will issue an invitation to President Herzog to visit Australia as soon as possible. President Herzog said that he would accept the invitation and mentioned that the President of the Zionist Federation of Australia also sent him an official invitation expressing his wish for President Herzog to visit, and he intends to do so.
Benjamin Lee, benjaminl@president.gov.il, 050-6169572
Central Bureau of Statistics: Christmas 2025 - Christians in Israel
Please see the attached Word & PNG files
Please see the attached Word & PNG files