Israeli President Isaac Herzog has been invited to be the keynote speaker at the annual Jerusalem Day celebrations at the Mercaz Harav yeshiva this year.
In the past, the prime minister was invited to attend the celebrations, which is one of the main events marking Jerusalem Day in Israel. Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu attended the event every year during his terms as prime minister.
In recent years, with the exception of last year, incumbent Prime Minister Bennett has been a particularly welcome guest at the Mercaz Harav Jerusalem Day celebrations. Last year, Bennett was invited, but decided not to attend due to the criticism of his intention of forming a government with the left-wing Meretz and Labor parties and the Islamist Ra'am party.
Following a report by Walla that the yeshiva had decided not to invite Prime Minister Bennett this year, the yeshiva told Israel National News that no decision had been made on whether to invite the prime minister or opposition leader.
Last year, Jonathan Pollard was the keynote speaker at the Mercaz Harav Jerusalem Day celebrations.