Putin, Xi, EU leader, Germany, Hungary and others wish Israel a happy birthday

President Isaac Herzog receives congratulatory letters from world leaders in honor of Israel’s 75th Independence Day, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s President Xi Jinping.

“I am convinced that the further development of relations of friendship and cooperation between Russia and Israel fully meets the interests of our peoples and goes in line with enhancing security and stability in the Middle East,” writes Putin.

“Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Israel, the two countries have witnessed rapid and sound development of bilateral ties, and ever deepened friendship between the Chinese and Israeli people,” writes Xi.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen writes that “a dream was realized” with Israel’s birth. She also calls Israel “a home in the Promised Land.”

“Your freedom is our freedom,” she writes.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a close friend of Herzog, says in a video greeting that “we want to use all the strength of our friendship to support Israel’s path to the future, in freedom, justice, and security, with equality of social and political rights as the Declaration of Independence promised 75 years ago.”

President Katalin Novák of Hungary writes that “I believe that it is the common interest of Jews, Christians, and Muslims for Israel to be safe and enjoy security.”

As of midday, US President Joe Biden had not sent a message to Herzog.

Celebratory messages were also received from Korea, Guatemala, Switzerland, Malta, Malawi, Sri Lanka, Romania, Croatia, Greece, Latvia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Montenegro, Spain, Thailand, and Canada.