WASHINGTON – US President Joe Biden called the ties between the United States and Israel “unbreakable” in a video message he sent to an event at Israel’s Embassy marking the country’s 74th Independence Day.
Biden said at the event on Thursday, which brought together diplomats, members of Congress and community leaders, that the long and close friendship between the countries began the moment the United States became the first country in the world to recognize Israel as an independent state, just 11 minutes after its founding.
“In 74 years of progress and partnership, we’ve achieved so much together,” Biden said. “From collaborating on cutting-edge science and technology research to trailblazing new regional ties to ensuring Israel’s security.
“The partnership between Israel and the United States has been indispensable for the United States and I believe for Israel as well,” the president said. “Our ties are unbreakable and I’m proud to stand with Israel today and always.”
Israel’s Ambassador to the US Mike Herzog said that he was looking forward to hosting Biden in Israel soon, saying that “he is a leader who has always been a true friend of Israel and the Jewish people.”
He also thanked Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, who represented the administration at the event, for his efforts to include Israel in the visa waiver program.
Speaking about the Abraham Accords, Herzog said that they are “a historic breakthrough and key to unlocking our shared prosperity and bringing about a brighter future for the next generation.“Israel is actively committed to deepening and expanding the ties with existing and potential partners in the Arab world and throughout the Muslim world,” he said. “It is my firm conviction that these unprecedented [agreements] will enable the building of new bridges and relations between Israelis and Arabs and between Muslims and Jews more broadly.”
Herzog said there are still significant challenges, adding that “the wave of horrific terror attacks carried out the past few weeks against our citizens is another reminder that there are still radical forces that reject our existence and [wish] for our destruction.”
He stressed that “first and foremost is Iran led by a regime founded on an anti-Israel, anti-Western hateful ideology. This poisonous ideology combined with nuclear and regional hegemonic ambitions poses the greatest threat to Israel’s national security as well as to the future of the Middle East.
“Let there be no mistake,” the ambassador said: “Israel will not shy away from defending itself by itself and will take all necessary action to protect its people.”