Biden welcomes Israeli President Herzog and promises continued support amid the war in the Middle East

WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Biden met with the Israeli president at the White House on Tuesday and reaffirmed his steadfast support for Israel as the two leaders discussed growing tensions.

Biden greeted President Isaac Herzog in the Oval Office, noting their longstanding friendship and mutual commitment to strengthening US-Israel relations.

“You have been a friend for a long time, a personal friend, and you know that my commitment to Israel is rock-solid, and we share a deep friendship,” Biden told Herzog.

Herzog responded to Biden in front of a group of reporters and thanked him for his friendship.

Herzog also expressed the importance of the US-Israel partnership.

“Mr. President, this has to be a major goal throughout your term and the next term of the next president because we have to make sure they can’t fulfill their evil intentions,” Herzog told Biden.

Before the two leaders had their closed-door meeting, Herzog informed the audience that two Israelis had been killed by rocket attacks from Lebanon in the northern city of Nahariya.

Herzog also shared a moving story of a teacher who saved children from a drone strike that hit a school.

“Early today, a kindergarten teacher of a kindergarten with special needs, children with special needs, bravely and wisely saved the toddlers in the kindergarten from a drone attack. A drone exploded in the kindergarten. This is what we are going to do from Lebanon, Mr. President, and you know that all too well, Herzog said.

According to the Israeli leader, there are still 101 hostages in Gaza.

Since the start of the war last year, Biden and his administration have promised to return American hostages to American soil.

Herzog said the focus right now is on freeing the hostages, which starts in Iran’s largest city, Tehran. Biden agreed with Herzog’s focus.

Biden pledged to continue working until Jan. 20 to help bring peace, stability and security to Israel and the Middle East, Herzog told reporters after his private meeting with Biden.

“First and foremost, there are several boundaries that we know. One is Lebanon, the other is Gaza, of course, Iran, and the whole effort to change the trajectory of the Middle East, towards a better future,” Herzog said. . “I sincerely thank the President for his efforts, and I know there is a deep commitment and effort to move forward.”

Herzog presented Biden with a gift while thanking Biden. “We will never forget, never in history, how you stood up next to us in our darkest hour, which became our brightest hour, how you came to Israel a few days after the barbaric attack of October 7, how you helped and supported us with words and actions, and I want to thank you very much, Mr. President, what a great legacy it is that you stood up for the Jewish people and the State of Israel, as you always did,” he said.

The gift was an archaeological artifact from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

The United States poured billions of dollars in military aid to Israel during the war, while simultaneously pushing to allow more aid to Gaza.

President-elect Donald Trump has promised to end the wars in the Middle East, without saying how. Since his re-election, Trump said he has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu three times.

Trump is expected to tap US Senator Marco Rubio as his secretary of state.