Alongside Biden, Herzog calls for transforming Mideast into ‘ecosystem of sustainable peace’

Speaking beside US President Joe Biden at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, President Isaac Herzog says that the US and Israel “are united in our opposition to Iran’s terror and drive for a nuclear weapons capability, which is the greatest threat to this region, and perhaps the world at large.”

Herzog paints a picture of a “challenged world order,” with the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic combined with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He emphasizes that strong Israel-US relations are critical to regional and global stability, peace and prosperity.

“Together, we can create not only a new Middle East, but a renewable Middle East — a regional ecosystem of sustainable peace,” says Herzog.

“Under your leadership, we can continue transforming our region from a source of global tension to a source of global stability and progress. The Middle East can grow into a meeting point for climate innovation and combined medical research, clean energy and peaceful exchange among faiths and peoples. This is the blessing you will bring in the coming days to your meetings in Riyadh.”

Herzog also praises Biden’s firm stance against antisemitism and the delegitimization of Israel.

The president concludes by revealing that in their one-on-one meeting, he gave Biden the minutes of the latter’s meeting with former Israeli prime minister Golda Meir almost 50 years ago, found in Israel’s national archives.

“The senator was full of respect and admiration for the prime minister and repeatedly said that he had come to learn, but, on the other hand was carried away by his enthusiasm,” wrote the diplomat who took the minutes.

“Your tireless advocacy of the enduring US-Israel partnership, in word and in deed, has truly withstood the test of time,” says Herzog.