Isaac Herzog calls for peace in Lebanon amid Israeli economic and leadership updates

Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed hope for peace for children in both Israel and Lebanon as the new school year begins. He emphasized the need for a peaceful border and the removal of Hezbollah from the region. This follows a U.S.-mediated framework agreement signed in June 2026 between Jerusalem and Beirut aimed at dismantling Hezbollah.

In economic news, Israeli startups have raised $9.6 billion so far in 2026. August saw nearly $600 million in funding, led by AI security companies Alice and Zenity. While these figures are lower than the 2021 record of $25.6 billion, they represent significant capital inflow.

Additionally, Herzog’s global Jewish leadership initiative, ‘Voice of the People’, has opened applications for its second cohort. The program seeks 150 participants from Israel, North America, and other Diaspora communities to foster connection and leadership among Jewish people worldwide.