Israeli President Isaac Herzog speaks to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, on the Capitol in Washington, as Vice President Kamala Harris and Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California look on. Stephanie Scarbrough, Related Press
Israeli President Isaac Herzog gave a joint tackle to Congress Wednesday in honor of the seventy fifth anniversary of his nation’s statehood.
In his remarks, he celebrated the power of U.S.-Israel relations and democracy and pluralism in Israel whereas decrying what he sees as antisemitic criticism of his nation.
Again in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to Twitter and praised Herzog for expressing a “sturdy and decisive place towards Iran.”
“Collectively we'll stand, collectively we'll win,” he mentioned.
נאום חשוב של נשיא המדינה הרצוג שהביע את עמדתנו התקיפה והנחרצת נגד איראן. יחד נעמוד, יחד ננצח 🇮🇱
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) July 19, 2023
The New York Occasions reported that the centrist Israeli information outlet, Occasions of Israel, printed a headline that mentioned, “To thunderous applause in Congress, Herzog stresses Israel’s ‘impartial judiciary.’” In the meantime, Jerusalem Publish, a conservative publication, highlighted Herzog’s statements about antisemitism and the menace Iran’s nuclear program presents.
Israel’s historic relationship with U.S.
Herzog started his remarks with a private anecdote about watching an Israeli president’s first tackle to Congress in 1987 on tv along with his spouse.
“That president was my father. Standing right here at present, representing the Jewish, democratic State of Israel in its seventy fifth yr, on the very podium from which my late father, President Chaim Herzog spoke, is the dignity of a lifetime,” he mentioned.
He thanked President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy and different congressional leaders for upholding an “ironclad friendship with Israel.”
Herzog appeared again on the historic significance of the connection between the 2 nations, beginning with the time when Harry Truman, the U.S. president in 1949, met with Herzog’s grandfather, Rabbi Yitzhak Isaac Halevi Herzog, within the Oval Workplace to acknowledge the State of Israel, a mere 11 minutes after it was based.
“(Rabbi Herzog) spoke of the Divine Windfall that destined President Truman to assist carry in regards to the rebirth of Israel, after two thousand years of exile,” mentioned the Israeli president. “Witnesses of the encounter recalled tears working down President Truman’s cheeks.”
Israel’s best problem
Herzog referred to as Israel a “vibrant democracy” with a “sturdy Supreme Courtroom and an impartial judiciary.”
Hezog mentioned the best problem his nation faces is Iran’s nuclear program.
“Iran is constructing nuclear capabilities, that pose a menace to the steadiness of the Center East and past,” Herzog mentioned. “Each nation or area managed or infiltrated by Iran has skilled utter havoc. Now we have seen this in Yemen, Gaza, in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. The truth is, we've seen this in Iran itself the place the regime has misplaced its individuals and is suppressing them brutally.”
“Israel has no border with Iran. Israel has no assets contested by Iran. Israel has no battle with the Iranian individuals,” he mentioned. “And but, the Iranian regime — along with its proxies all through the Center East — is aiming and dealing in the direction of destroying the State of Israel, killing the Jews and difficult your entire free world.”
Herzog mentioned that permitting Iran to turn into a nuclear state is unacceptable and that the U.S. and Israel must work collectively to forestall this menace to worldwide safety.
Israel-Palestine relations
The Israeli president mentioned the state of Israel needs to make peace with Palestinians, however ongoing violence makes this troublesome.
“My deep craving, Mr. Speaker, is for Israel to at some point make peace with our Palestinian neighbors,” he mentioned. “However the deep political variations, and the quite a few challenges that encompass Israeli-Palestinian relations — and I don't ignore them — but it surely must be clear that one can not discuss peace whereas condoning or legitimizing terror, implicitly or explicitly. True peace can't be anchored in violence.”
He condemned the focused terrorist assaults on Israel and Israelis, calling them a “ethical shame.”
“The youthful technology of Israelis and Palestinians deserve higher. They're all worthy of a future to look in the direction of, a way forward for peace and prosperity. A way forward for hope. I'm wholeheartedly dedicated to this imaginative and prescient, a imaginative and prescient of hope and peace, true peace, with none terror,” Herzog added.
Congress’ criticism towards Israel
The Israeli president acknowledged the criticism his nation has acquired from congressional leaders.
A number of U.S. representatives refused to attend Herzog’s tackle, whereas others like Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., have been extra vocal with their criticisms.
Within the days earlier than Herzog’s arrival, Jayapal referred to as Israel a “racist state.”
She later backtracked on the characterization and issued an apology, because the Deseret Information reported.
“I don't consider the thought of Israel as a nation is racist,” she mentioned. “I do, nonetheless, consider that (Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s) excessive right-wing authorities has engaged in discriminatory and outright racist insurance policies and that there are excessive racists driving that coverage inside the management of the present authorities.”
After Jayapal’s assertion, McCarthy fast-tracked a decision, affirming help for Israel. It handed 412-9-1, and Jayapal additionally voted in favor.
“The State of Israel will not be a racist or apartheid state, Congress rejects all types of antisemitism and xenophobia, and america will all the time be a staunch companion and supporter of Israel,” the decision mentioned.
Herzog mentioned he's “not oblivious to criticism amongst associates.”
“However criticism of Israel should not cross the road into negation of the State of Israel’s proper to exist. Questioning the Jewish individuals’s proper to self-determination, will not be authentic diplomacy, it's antisemitism,” he mentioned. “Vilifying and attacking Jews, whether or not in Israel, in america, or wherever on the planet is antisemitism.”
He additionally defended the existence of democracy in Israel, saying protests and demonstrations are allowed.
“I'm effectively conscious of the imperfections of Israeli democracy, and I'm aware of the questions posed by our best of associates. The momentous debate in Israel is painful, and deeply unnerving, as a result of it highlights the cracks inside the entire,” Herzog mentioned.
“Though we're working by means of sore points, similar to you, I do know our democracy is robust and resilient. Israel has democracy in its DNA,” he mentioned.
McCarthy reacts to Herzog’s tackle
In his concluding remarks, Herzog mentioned Israel and the U.S. will disagree on many points, “However we'll all the time stay household.”
Shortly after his tackle, that earned many rounds of applause and standing ovations, McCarthy launched an announcement, saying it was a privilege to welcome Herzog to Capitol Hill and reaffirmed the sturdy bond the 2 nations shared.
“For 75 years, America and Israel have stood collectively as companions in protection of freedom, democracy, and mutual safety. We should all the time stay at one another’s facet in that mission, strengthening our friendship in order that, collectively, we will forge a fair brighter future.” McCarthy mentioned. “That's America’s dedication to Israel, and we won't flinch from it.”