“Iran is the only nation on the planet publicly calling, plotting, and developing means to annihilate another nation, a member of the family of nations, the State of Israel”, Israeli President Isaac Herzog told the American House of Congress. Speaking of the Iranian-backed terror groups on Israel’s border and within the West Bank, he adds: “the Iranian regime – together with its proxies throughout the Middle East – is aiming and working towards destroying the State of Israel, killing the Jews and challenging the entire free world”.
His comments came in an address to Congress to mark Israel’s 75th year of independence. President Herzog is the second Israeli President to address the House, the first being the President’s father, Chaim Herzog.
The Israeli President was also welcomed to the White House by U.S. President Biden who declared “If there wasn’t an Israel, we’d have to invent one”.
The two President’s discussed their “ironclad” friendship, the progress made in the region as a result of the Abraham Accords, namely “conven[ing] the largest gathering of Arabs and Israelis in a decade at the Negev Forum…open[ing] up an airspace for Israel over Saudi Arabia and Oman”, as well as the Israel-Palestinian peace process “in Aqaba and Sharm”. They also discussed the Iranian threat to the global stage, with President Biden expressing “commit[ment], as well, to ensure that — that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon”.
President Herzog expanded on the dangers of the Iranian regime in his address to Congress: “Let there be no doubt: Iran does not strive to attain nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Iran is building nuclear capabilities, that pose a threat to the stability of the Middle East and beyond”. “Iran has spread hatred, terror and suffering throughout the Middle East and beyond, adding fuel to the disastrous fire and suffering in Ukraine”, he added.
Differentiating between criticism amongst friends, and a fixation and criticism of solely the Jewish State, President Herzog argues that “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”.
In his speech, the Israeli President also paid tribute to the United States in brokering peace between Israel, Egypt, and Jordan, and the “game-changer” Abraham Accords, “a peace anchored in trust, hope and prosperity”. The President also expressed a “deep yearning… for Israel to one day make peace with our Palestinian neighbours”, but noted that “true peace cannot be anchored in violence”.
Before Herzog’s visit, President Biden had a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, inviting him for a meeting in America (no location or date mentioned). They also spoke about Iran, peace between Israel and the Palestinians, and Israel’s judicial overhaul.
