Washington Examiner

Israeli president highlights US support in speech to Congress.

Israeli President Isaac ​Herzog Praises US-Israel ⁣Relationship in Historic ⁤Speech to ⁤Congress

In a ​momentous⁤ address ‌to ⁣Congress, Israeli President Isaac Herzog⁤ expressed ​his ‌gratitude for the ​United States’ ⁣unwavering ‌support of the Israeli⁤ government ⁣over⁣ the past⁣ seven decades. He hailed ‍the relationship‍ as ⁣the fulfillment ‍of ⁤an “ancient promise” ‍achieved through ⁣the ⁤principles ⁤of ‌democracy.

Herzog’s‌ speech​ holds particular‍ significance as President⁤ Joe Biden ‍navigates ‍the complex dynamics ⁣of ⁣the⁣ US-Israel alliance,⁢ a crucial ‌partnership in the⁤ Middle East that has endured⁣ for over ⁣75⁤ years. The timing of the address ⁣also⁤ coincides with Israel’s‌ 75th anniversary of‌ statehood and​ marks the first⁤ time⁢ in over three ⁤decades that an Israeli president⁤ has ​spoken‌ before Congress​ in a ​joint session.

“Standing here today, representing ​the Jewish democratic‌ state of ⁢Israel,​ in‌ its 75th ‌year ⁤at⁢ the very podium from⁤ which​ my⁣ late ‌father President Chaim ‌Herzog spoke,⁢ is the⁣ honor of‍ a lifetime and‍ I⁢ thank⁤ you‍ all ⁤for ⁢it,” Herzog‍ said.

Reflecting ⁤on ‍the‍ historic‌ US-Israel relationship, ‌Herzog highlighted President ⁤Harry⁣ Truman’s swift recognition of​ Israel just⁤ 11 ​minutes after its founding. He ⁢expressed deep appreciation to Congress for⁢ its continued​ support, ‌emphasizing​ the importance of​ maintaining‌ the alliance.

“We⁣ are‌ grateful to the United States ⁤for the⁤ necessary means ​you have ⁣provided‌ us to ⁢keep​ our qualitative‍ military edge and to enable us ‍to defend ourselves by ourselves,”‍ Herzog said. ‌”This ⁢reflects your ⁣ongoing commitment to ‍Israel’s security. We’re‌ also tremendously proud that ​ours is a two-way​ alliance ​in ⁤which ‍Israel has ‌been making⁣ critical⁤ contributions to the national security‌ interests of the ⁣United States ​of ​America⁢ in numerous ways.”

Herzog also called on lawmakers to⁤ unite⁤ against ‍Iran,⁢ accusing the regime of⁢ spreading “hatred, terror,‍ and‌ suffering throughout ⁣the ‍Middle East.” His⁣ strong ⁤stance ⁢received a ⁤standing ⁤ovation in ⁢the ⁣House chamber.

“[Iran​ is] ⁣adding​ fuel to ​the‍ disastrous fire ⁣and ​suffering ‍in Ukraine,” Herzog ⁣said. ‍”The​ world cannot⁤ remain indifferent​ to​ the Iranian ​regime’s​ call to ‌wipe ⁢Israel ⁢off the ⁤map.‌ Tolerating this call‍ and⁣ Iran’s⁣ measures to ⁢realize​ it ⁤is ⁢an ​excusable ⁢moral collapse. Backed⁣ by the ⁤free world, ⁤Israel⁣ and​ the United ⁣States must⁢ act forcefully ​together to prevent​ Iran’s ​fundamental threat to international ⁣security.”

The bipartisan ‌support for‍ Israel‍ was evident in⁤ the‍ House chamber, with ⁤lawmakers from both⁢ sides ⁤of the​ aisle in ‌attendance. Representative⁣ Jerry ‌Nadler⁣ (D-NY) ⁢even held an⁢ Israeli ‍flag⁢ as​ Herzog ⁢delivered his speech.

The address followed ‍the ⁣House’s ‌passage ‌of ⁤a ⁢resolution ​reaffirming congressional support for Israel, a response to ⁤recent comments made⁣ by⁣ progressive​ Democrats critical of ‌the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians.

Herzog‍ acknowledged ⁢the ⁣Israeli-Palestinian ⁢conflict in⁤ his speech, emphasizing that while his government is ⁣committed⁣ to pursuing ⁤peace, it ⁢will not ‍tolerate​ attacks ​on⁤ its ⁣population.

“Israel has taken‌ bold‍ steps ⁤towards ⁤peace and ‍making far-reaching ⁤proposals to our Palestinian​ neighbors,” he​ said. “However, ⁤true​ peace cannot ‌be​ anchored in violence. ​It should be ⁢clear that one cannot ‌talk⁢ about peace⁢ while condoning and ​legitimizing⁣ terror implicitly ⁣or‌ explicitly. True ⁣peace ‍cannot be ⁣anchored⁣ in violence.”

Addressing‌ the disapproval of the⁣ Israeli ⁢government among some⁣ Democrats,‍ Herzog stressed the importance of distinguishing criticism from the⁢ denial of ​Israel’s‍ right to exist.

“But,”​ he said, “criticism of Israel ​must not cross the line⁢ into negation⁣ of ⁤the state of ‍Israel’s ​right to⁤ exist. ⁣Questioning⁣ the Jewish ‌people’s right ‌to self-determination is not⁢ legitimate⁤ diplomacy. It ‌is ​antisemitism,” ‍he said, ​which ⁤was ⁣met with resounding applause‍ from members of Congress.

Vice President‍ Kamala⁣ Harris attended​ Herzog’s⁤ speech and⁢ is scheduled to meet with him‌ following ⁢the address.‌ The day before, President Joe ‌Biden‌ reaffirmed the US ⁣commitment⁣ to‌ Israel ⁢in a meeting with⁣ the Israeli ‍president.

House Speaker Kevin ‍McCarthy⁣ (R-CA) invited⁢ Herzog⁤ to address‍ Congress,‍ highlighting ⁤the alliance between the two countries as ⁣a force‌ for global ⁤progress.‍ McCarthy ‌himself had ⁣the⁤ honor of addressing the Israeli⁢ Knesset, making him only ‌the second ‍speaker in ⁤history to⁣ meet with ⁢the Israeli government.

Overall, Herzog’s historic ⁢speech serves as a testament ​to⁣ the ⁣enduring bond between ‍the⁢ United ⁢States and Israel, emphasizing⁤ the‌ shared values ⁣and ‍mutual benefits that⁤ underpin⁢ this‌ vital alliance.

Click​ here to read more from ⁢The Washington Examiner.



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