Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed U.S. President Joe Biden at the Oval Office in the White House on Tuesday morning.
The White House stated that the meeting, which was open to a “spray,” in which the pool reporter could ask questions, started at 11:15 a.m.
Biden spoke briefly, stressing that his administration’s “commitment to Israel is ironclad, and we share a deep friendship.”
According to the pool report, Herzog thanked Biden for his support of the Jewish state and said, “It’s always a great honor to be here in the Oval Office and to be with a friend such as you, Mr. President.”
Herzog noted that just hours earlier on Tuesday, “two Israelis were murdered by rocket attacks from Lebanon in the northern town of Nahariya, a beautiful seashore town in the northern part of Israel.”
“This is what we’re going through from Lebanon, Mr. President, and you know it all too well,” said Herzog. “We’re fighting hard, we’re protecting our people….and I know that you’re working very hard to make sure that this war will end and that will there will be, first and foremost security for the people of Israel, as well as for the people in Lebanon.”
Turning to Iran’s malign influence in the region, he stated, “It all starts in the empire of evil, where, in Tehran, with its proxies, they are doing whatever they can to derail stability and security and peace, calling for the annihilation of the State of Israel and seeking nuclear weapons.
The Israeli head of state said there are still 101 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. “I know, Mr. President, that you know you are day in and out, actively seeking their safe return home, as they’re going through hell.”
“First and foremost, we have to get the hostages back home,” continued Herzog. Biden responded then to say, “I agree.”
Herzog presented Biden with a gift—an archeological artifact with the inscription, “Joseph,” from the foot of the Temple Mount holy site in Jerusalem— for what he described as the president’s great legacy.
“As you know, in the Bible, it is said that Joseph will strengthen Israel. And clearly, Mr. President, that was done. Thank you very much,” said Herzog.
Ahead of the public remarks, the Israeli president sat down privately with Herzog and the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, as well as Herzog’s chief of staff and foreign policy adiver.
The American side also included U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer and Special Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk.
Herzog thanked Biden for Washington’s “steadfast support from the very beginning of the war” with Hamas in remarks that the Israeli president delivered on Monday at the Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly, held blocks away from the White House.
Herzog also expressed gratitude to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris for her “solid friendship and partnership” during her four years in office.
Herzog and Biden will reportedly discuss Jerusalem’s ongoing conflicts with Iran’s proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah, and the outgoing administration’s continued efforts to broker ceasefire agreements.
Herzog is also scheduled to meet with Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), whom Trump has named the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a longtime ally of the incoming president and friend of the outgoing Israeli ambassador in Washington, Herzog’s brother Michael Herzog.
On Thursday, President Herzog called Trump to congratulate him on his “overwhelming victory” and wished success to him and his administration.
The Israeli head of state “thanked President Trump for his longstanding steadfast friendship and support for Israel,” Herzog’s office stated, and “expressed his confidence that President Trump would continue to work tirelessly to promote peace and security for Israel and the broader Middle East.”
Trump emphasized his “love and support” for the Jewish state, the Israeli president’s statement noted. The two were said to have agreed to remain in close contact to strengthen cooperation and deepen “the ironclad alliance between the two nations.”
Herzog stressed to Trump the “urgent need” to secure the return of the 101 hostages still held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza for almost 400 days, including Americans, due to their “unimaginable cruelty and suffering,” his office said.
Herzog publicly congratulated Trump last week following the latter’s reelection and called Trump “a true and dear friend of Israel, and a champion of peace and cooperation in our region.”