President Isaac Herzog concludes inaugural Voice of the People initiative in Budapest

Israeli President Isaac Herzog concluded the first chapter of his global Jewish dialogue initiative, Voice of the People, during a three-day conference in Budapest, Hungary. The gathering brought together approximately 100 community activists, leaders, and innovators from 17 countries to address challenges such as antisemitism, polarization, and Israel-Diaspora relations.

Over its two-year inaugural run, the initiative's working groups produced more than 39 projects, with 21 receiving seed grants of up to $20,000. The program is transitioning into a permanent network, with applications for a second cohort exceeding 2,500. Featured projects included an AI solution designed to de-escalate online polarization and initiatives to integrate Haredi women into the Israeli workforce.

During his visit to Budapest, Herzog also held diplomatic meetings with Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar and President András Baka. The initiative is managed jointly by the Office of the President, the World Zionist Organization, and the Jewish Agency for Israel, with support from several philanthropic foundations.