President Herzog says Iran war marks ‘historical juncture’ for region

President Isaac Herzog tells AFP that the war launched by Israel and the United States against Iran marks a key turning point for the entire region.

“We are at a historical juncture, there comes a moment that after well over a generation of endless wars, bloodshed and terror, the root cause of it, which comes from Tehran, will be blocked and stopped, and the whole direction of the region will change,” Herzog says at his Jerusalem residence.

He insists defeating the clerical authorities in Iran is “in the innermost national security interests of Europe,” adding that Iran had been seeking “10 times the amount of ballistic missiles, which would have threatened Europe big time.”

“After talking and talking for a whole generation, it’s about time for doing,” he says.

He also says Europe should back the country’s fight against Hezbollah, as Israeli forces carry out ground operations in Lebanon.

“Europe should support any effort, any effort, to eradicate Hezbollah now,” Herzog says. “They should understand that if you want to get anywhere, sometimes you need to win war.”

France on Saturday offered to host direct negotiations between the Israeli and Lebanese governments in Paris, saying that Beirut was ready to engage.

Herzog, whose role is mainly ceremonial, welcomes the proposal as a “very positive development.”

“I think it’s very important that there should be talks,” he says. “It’s about time we have an opportunity of moving forward with Lebanon.”