Herzog to UN envoys: Israel seeks peace with Palestinians, Saudis, must stop Iran

Israel is committed to advancing peace with its Arab neighbors, President Isaac Herzog tells a delegation of dozens of United Nations ambassadors, while urging action against Iranian nuclear power and calling for reform in the policies of international bodies toward Israel.

“We have to always remember that we have to be very strong, together with our allies, and keep on pursuing the hope for peace in our region, with our neighbors the Palestinians, hopefully with the Saudis, so that we can open the road to rapprochement for Jews and Muslims,” Herzog tells the group in a meeting at the President’s Residence, according to his office.

“Here in Israel, we live together with Muslims, Christians, and, of course, a Jewish majority in an incredible, unique relationship and a vibrant democracy,” he says to more than 30 envoys from European Union member states, Latin America, the Pacific Islands, and sub-Saharan Africa.

Led by Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, the delegation participated in last week’s annual March of the Living ceremony in Poland, before flying to Israel and touring areas in the south attacked by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

Herzog tells the ambassadors that Hamas attacked “the most tranquil, peaceful communities in the region, pursuing peace with their Palestinian neighbors, living in harmony and on a recognized international boundary.”

He says the immediate release of all remaining hostages in Gaza “has to be a top priority of the world.”

The president addresses Iran and its proxies, saying Israel was “attacked from seven different corners of the earth by the same empire of evil,” and “that’s why we have to knock it hard so that they are not able to have nuclear capability and also stop fighting.”

He further adds that Israel “expect[s] major change in the behavior of the international institutions: an end to hypocrisy, and much more fairness… That’s all we demand.”