Herzog urges Europe to reject sanctions on Israel during Romania visit

President Isaac Herzog meets his Romanian counterpart Nicusor Dan in Bucharest during a state visit to Romania, according to a readout from his office.

Amid mounting criticism of Israel from European Union member states, Herzog urges “those in Europe calling for boycotts and sanctions on Israel… to reverse course,” in joint statements following the meeting, saying, “threats will not advance peace. Dialogue will. Speak with Israel, engage with Israel, and let us move toward peace together.”

In a private and then an expanded meeting, the two leaders “discussed deepening bilateral cooperation across a range of fields, including technology, innovation, cyber, artificial intelligence, security, agriculture, culture, and tourism, alongside regional and international developments,” according to the readout.

In his remarks, Herzog hails the recently signed Israel-Lebanon framework agreement and urges European Union states to support it, saying, “We seek peace with Lebanon, free from Iranian extortion, and I welcome the MOU signed on Friday between Israel and Lebanon, which can become the cornerstone of such a peace. The EU and the international community must support it, as well as help Lebanon to recover its economy and its stability, and support Israel’s security.”

Dan notes “consistent cooperation” between the countries in the economic, security, defense, agriculture, and information technology fields, saying “there is great potential to develop these economic relations in both directions, Israeli investment in Romania and Romanian investment in Israel, and we will continue to work together to grow these economic exchanges.”

Herzog is set to address a joint plenary session of the Romanian Parliament at 5 p.m. Israel time.