Herzog lauds Abraham Accords, says Israelis ‘pray’ for peace with Saudi Arabia

WASHINGTON — President Isaac Herzog mentions the Abraham Accords, first noting the older treaties with Egypt and Jordan.

“This is a peace anchored in trust, hope and prosperity,” he says of the Abraham Accords. “A true game changer. Each of these historic agreements, which have altered the trajectory of the Middle East, was facilitated by our greatest friend the United States of America.”

He calls Saudi Arabia a leading nation in the region and the Muslim world, and thanks the US for working for a peace agreement with Israel.

“We pray for this moment to come,” he says to applause. “This would be a huge sea change in the course of history in the Middle East and the world at large.”

Herzog also speaks about peace with the Palestinians, calling it his “deep yearning,” to extended applause. He says that Israel has offered far-reaching proposals to the Palestinians.

He then says terrorism undermines any possibility for peace: “Israelis are targeted while waiting for buses, while taking a stroll on the promenade, while spending time with their family. At the same time, successful terror attacks are celebrated, terrorists are glorified, and their families are financially rewarded for every Israeli they attack. This is inconceivable. It is a moral disgrace.”