Palestinian statement by Israeli President Herzog: True peace cannot be based on violence

Touching on the history of US-Israel relations in his speech, Israeli President Isaac Herzog recalled his father and former Israeli President Haim Herzog’s speech to the US Congress on the 40th anniversary of Israel’s founding.

Pointing to the support provided by the United States to his country after its establishment, Herzog argued that Israel has become a democracy with different visions, where Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze and Circassians live side by side.

IRAN HIGHLIGHT

Devoting a significant part of his speech to Iran, Herzog said: “Perhaps the biggest challenge facing Israel and the United States right now is Iran’s nuclear program. There is no question that Iran is not trying to acquire nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.” he used the phrase.

Herzog said Iran’s nuclear activities pose a threat to stability in the Middle East and beyond.

Stating that countries and regions under the influence of Iran are experiencing complete destruction, Herzog said: “We have seen this in Yemen, Gaza, Syria and Iraq. Iran has spread hatred, terror and suffering in the Middle East and beyond, adding fuel to the devastating fire and suffering in Ukraine.” he said.

Herzog argued that Iran, with its proxies in the region, is trying to destroy the state of Israel and kill the Jews.

Stating that it is unacceptable to allow Iran to become a state capable of building nuclear weapons, Herzog said that Israel and the United States must act firmly to prevent Iran’s threat to international security.

Herzog stressed that his country is determined on this issue.

STANDARDIZATION WITH ARAB COUNTRIES

Herzog expressed the view that the US-brokered peace between Israel and its neighbors “has created a revolution in the Middle East.”

Stating that the Abraham Accords signed with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco contributed positively to his country and the region, Herzog continued as follows:

“Israel thanks the United States for its efforts to establish peaceful relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, one of the leading countries in the region and the Islamic world, and Israel. We pray for this moment to come. This will be a great transformation in the course of history in the Middle East and the world in general.”

PALESTINIAN QUESTION

Expressing his deep desire that Israel make peace with its Palestinian neighbors one day, Herzog argued that his country has taken steps towards peace. Herzog, on the other hand, accused the Palestinians of supporting violence and terrorism by failing to achieve peace.

“Despite the deep political differences and the many challenges surrounding Israeli-Palestinian relations, which I am not ignoring, it must be clear that there can be no talk of peace as long as terrorism is implicitly or explicitly condoned or legitimized. True peace cannot bear violence.” saying.

ANTI-SEMITISM” ANSWER TO CRITICS

Referring to some US lawmakers who are critical of Israeli policies, Herzog said:

“I don’t rule out criticism among friends, including from respected members of this council. I respect criticism, especially from friends, although I don’t always have to admit it. However, criticism of Israel should not go beyond the denial of the Israeli state’s right to exist. Questioning the right of the Jewish people to self-determination is not legitimate diplomacy, it is anti-Semitism.”

In this context, Herzog praised US President Joe Biden, who published the National Strategy to Combat Anti-Semitism.

JUDICIAL REFORM

Referring to the unrest caused by the controversial judicial reform in his country, Herzog defended Israel’s democracy. “I am well aware of the flaws in Israeli democracy and I am aware of the questions raised by our best friends,” Herzog said. He said, however, that Israeli democracy is strong and resilient.

“As a nation, we must find a way to talk to each other, no matter how long it takes. As president, I will continue to do everything possible to achieve a broad public consensus and to preserve and defend the democracy of the State of Israel.” he gave the message from him.

SOME DEMOCRATS DID NOT ATTEND THE SESSION

Rashida Tlaib, Cori Bush and Bernie Sanders, as well as MPs Ilhan Omar, who previously said they would boycott Herzog’s speech, and MPs Jamaal Bowman and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who said they planned not to attend the session, did not attend the session.

MP Pramila Jayapal, who claimed that Israel is a “racist state” but later apologized for this issue, was absent from the session because it conflicted with another agenda.

The draft resolution that affirms that “Israel is not a racist state” and supports this country was accepted yesterday in the US House of Representatives.

Herzog became the second president of Israel to address the United States Congress, after his father, Chaim Herzog, who became Israel’s former president in 1987.

Herzog’s older brother, Michael Herzog, is also currently serving as Israel’s ambassador to Washington. (AA)