In his address, President Herzog began by speaking on the terror attack in Carmiel earlier today: “I want to firstly express my grief and my condolences with the latest victims of terror following the attack in Carmiel this morning. My heart goes out to the family of Sergeant Aleksandr Iakiminskyi, and my thoughts and prayers to the wounded.”

He added, “Of course, we do not forget for a moment our hostages – including American citizens – being held by Hamas in Gaza. Ambassador Lew, I know that you and President Biden are doing everything possible to bring all of our hostages home. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Our commitment to bringing the hostages home is absolute. I meet hostage families almost every day. And I want to state clearly: We haven’t forgotten them for a moment. The nation hasn’t forgotten them for a moment. There isn’t an Israeli household or family where thoughts of the hostages aren’t present. There isn’t a synagogue service, a public event, or even private occasions, where concern for the hostages isn’t voiced clearly. Where a prayer, an outcry, and a demand for their immediate return doesn’t reverberate. Everybody wants them home. An overwhelming majority is in favor of the deal. The expectation that the country bring them home is at the heart of the Israeli consensus.”

The President stressed, “My friends, we name here again a clear, self-evident, and sustained bipartisan truth: Our unique alliance is based not only on the values we share, but on our willingness to defend those values. Since October 7th, Israel has been at the forefront of a global battle against terror and extremism. Against those acting on behalf of the oppressive Ayatollah regime. And against those who seek to impose their dark vision of a future based on radical hate and oppression. Again and again, the United States has shown, in word and in deed, and in utterly bipartisan fashion, that it is Israel’s greatest ally. And that we stand together in the long and difficult fight to defend our values, our lives, and our very way of life. Like in any family, we do not always agree on everything. And that is okay. Disagreements do not draw into question the broad basis of friendship and alliance that keeps us connected to our shared story and advances the vital interests of both of our nations. In the name of the state and people of Israel, I express my deepest gratitude to President Biden, to the American government, to Congress, and to the American people for the support and solidarity which has always been an anchor of our safety, and which has been evident in countless ways since October 7th. From the very first moments, President Biden’s stance has been unequivocal. He stepped forward and showed with one powerful word, that in the face of the darkest expressions of human cruelty, the United States of America was there. He stated with crystal clear clarity: Israel would not stand alone against its enemies. And he profoundly comforted a grieving nation. But it went well beyond words. Immediately following the massacre, the U.S. sent rapid military deployments to the region, along with arms and supplemental aid to Israel on an unprecedented scale. President Biden traveled to Israel during wartime - a truly extraordinary show of support. When Iran rained over 300 missiles and drones directly onto Israel’s civilian population, it was the American military that joined hands with the IDF, leading an international coalition that foiled the pernicious attack with spectacular success. Reminding the world about the power of coming together to defend principles people.”

“This clarity has been asserted not only the battlefield, but in the international arena as well. The United States has stood up boldly for Israel in international institutions. Against attempts to delegitimize Israel, against hatred, prejudice, and antisemitism, and in favor of the humanity that keeps us secure and whole. This is clarity and vision. This is moral high ground. This is the blessing of the United States of America to the world.

He concluded, “God bless America. God bless Israel. And God bless the unbreakable friendship between our nations. Thank you very much.”