Jerusalem, Israel - July 22, 2021 - BDS is the new form of terrorism against Israel and must be responded with all means stated President Isaac Herzog, in Jerusalem, Israel, on Wednesday evening, at Beit Hanasi.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attended the annual memorial ceremony for deceased presidents and prime ministers of Israel.  A short video with all the deceased presidents Chaim Weizmann, Yitzhak Ben Zvi, Zalman Shazar, Ephraim Katzir, Yitzhak Navon, Chaim Herzog, Ezer Weizman, and Shimon Peres and deceased prime ministers David Ben Gurion, Moshe Sharett, Levi Eshkol, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin, Menachem Begin,  Yitzhak Shamir, Shimon Peres, and Ariel Sharon was shown in the main hall. All the guests were wearing masks as per current health restrictions. Only speakers removed their mask on the podium, even photos were taken with masks on.

 One of Sharon's sons, Gilad Sharon recited Kaddish to begin the program.

The memories of President Ephraim Katzir and Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir were featured, as were prize recipients who produced work on the deceased leaders. Included in the award winners were Amiad and Avital Lemberger for their childrens' book on Efraim Katzir.

Dignitaries seated in the front row included Michal Herzog, Minister of Diaspora Affairs Nachman Shai, Supreme Court President Esther Hayut, Speaker of Knesset Mickey Levy, and  former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert

Bennett was careful not to shake hands and fist-bumped one of the award recipients. However, at the end of the ceremony, he let Olmert hug him. Both the Herzogs and Bennett stayed in the hall for an extended time after Hatikvah, to pose for photographs with the families of deceased leaders, and of the prize recipients who had filled the audience.