Herzog returns to Israel, phones Edan Alexander: ‘Every house in Israel is excited’

By Amy Spiro

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13 May 2025, 4:00 pm Edit

Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel

Just after arriving back in Israel from a state visit to Germany, President Isaac Herzog calls released hostage Edan Alexander to welcome him home.

“Welcome home, beloved son of the State of Israel,” Herzog tells him in a phone call from his car on the way home from the airport. “We’re so excited — it’s not just in Tenafly, everyone is excited, every house in Israel is excited.”

Alexander tries to thank the president, who replies: “Listen, we’re saying thank you to you, you were there for so long.” The freed captive adds: “I can’t believe how all this happened.”

Yesterday, Herzog watched Alexander’s release during his meeting in Berlin with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.