Israeli military officer and 'Chief Rabbi of Saudi Arabia' to visit Syria

Rabbi Jacob Israel Herzog, who refers to himself as the “Chief Rabbi of Saudi Arabia,” announced on social media that he plans to meet with "Syrian officials" in Damascus. The position of Chief Rabbi of Saudi Arabia is not an official position recognised by the government in Riyadh.  

Herzog said in a post on X, "I will be in Damascus soon to meet with Syrian officials and congratulate the Syrian people on their freedom and deliverance from the sectarian Assad regime."

Previously Herzog was photographed in military uniform alongside the former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant during the Israeli campaign in Gaza.

Gallant is now wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for a range of war crimes and crimes against humanity over atrocities committed since 7 October last year, alongside the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.