President Yitzhak Herzog Highlights Strong Israel-US Relations during Visit to the USA
During his visit to the United States, President Yitzhak Herzog met with President Joe Biden and addressed the US Congress, emphasizing the strength of the Israel-US relationship. President Herzog expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and the love for Israel he witnessed on both sides of the hall.
Contrary to the impression spread in Israel that the US is a lost arena, President Herzog highlighted the great support and enthusiasm for Israel among members of Congress. He also emphasized that despite differences of opinion, relations between the two countries remained close.
President Herzog spoke highly of his meeting with President Biden in the Oval Office, describing it as a family relationship. He stressed the importance of prioritizing the strong connection between Israel and the United States, even in times of disagreements.
The column by Thomas Friedman, senior commentator of the “New York Times,” was not discussed during the meeting. However, President Biden expressed concerns about the unilateral enactment of judicial reform in Israel without broad consensus and also voiced concerns about the potential collapse of the Palestinian Authority.
The US administration welcomed the recent cabinet decision to strengthen the Palestinian Authority and considered it a security interest for both Israel and the Palestinians.
President Herzog also mentioned the positive meeting with Vice-President Kamala Harris, describing her devotion to Israel and her dedication to climate and space issues. He praised her efforts in these areas, particularly for the benefit of young people.
Throughout President Herzog’s visit, the US reiterated its commitment to the security alliance with Israel. Although Vice-President Harris expressed concerns about the Iranian issue, the Biden administration remains open to reaching an agreement with Tehran. The US administration also prioritizes the Abraham Accords and sees normalization with Saudi Arabia as a significant issue, despite challenges following tensions related to the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
President Herzog later attended an event hosted by the Jewish community in New York where he addressed the reform of Israel’s judicial system. He expressed concerns about reducing probable cause and emphasized the importance of resolving the issue to prevent additional challenges. The president also touched upon the diminishing trend of reservist volunteering and expressed hope for its disappearance.
President Herzog’s visit to the United States reaffirmed the strong and deep-rooted relationship between Israel and the United States, despite occasional differences. The trip highlighted the support for Israel among members of Congress, as well as the ongoing commitment to address key issues such as bilateral relations, the Palestinian conflict, and regional alliances.