Biden calls presidential medal 'one of greatest honors of my career,' says seeing Israel thrive 'is close to miraculous'

Giving a very warm speech after President Isaac Herzog in which he quotes Irish poetry and the Torah, US President Joe Biden says receiving the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor is “one of the greatest honors of my career.”

“You know that my love for Israel is deep-rooted,” begins Biden, referring to his “righteous Christian” father.

“I’ve had the honor — it’s hard to say these words, for over 50 years, it can’t be that long — but for over 50 years in the federal government, helping build the relationship.”

Fifty years ago, he says, there would never have been the kind of audience he’s now speaking to — “so many people representing so many nations and faiths.”

President Isaac Herzog, right, presents the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor to US President Joe Biden at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, on July 14, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

“Israel and the United States are both places built on hope, grit and determination,” Biden says.

He continues: “Seeing Israel thrive, seeing the wildest dreams of Israel’s founding fathers and mothers grow into a reality that Israel’s children enjoy today, to me is close to miraculous.”

“Every time I’ve come over the years, thank God, God seems to be holding us in the palm of His hand,” he says quoting a hymn. “Because we get stronger, not weaker, and to me it’s pretty miraculous.

US President Joe Biden speaks at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, before President Isaac Herzog presents him with the Presidential Medal of Honor, on July 14, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Biden quotes from the Torah portion of Balak, which he notes will be read in the Diaspora this Shabbat, regarding Israel as “the people that dwell alone,” but goes on to say, “As I look out at these proud, strong Israelis in the audience, at the nation that made the desert bloom and built the Iron Dome, I see people who are growing more secure, more integrated, more confident and have greater relations with their neighbors. A nation that has forged peace before and can do it again. And a nation that will never dwell alone, because as long as there’s the United States you will never be alone.”

Regarding the presidential honor, Biden declares: “As a leader I can say without hesitation that receiving this award today is one of the greatest honors of my career, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.”

“In one of the most dysfunctional.. regions of the world, [Israel] will again be fully integrated and one of the leaders,” he concludes.