Israeli President Isaac Herzog met yesterday in Yerushalayim with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, where the two discussed the ongoing coordination between Israel and the United States in military operations against Iran.
The meeting had been scheduled earlier in the week and focused largely on the strategic partnership between the two countries during the current conflict. Their discussion highlighted the continued cooperation between Washington and Israel as both governments work closely together on military and intelligence efforts connected to the war.
The meeting took place shortly after President Donald Trump publicly criticized Herzog, calling him a “disgrace” for not granting a pardon to Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu in connection with the case involving “wine and cigars.”
Following the meeting, Herzog spoke about the strong ties between the two countries and expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership. “I had a wonderful meeting with Ambassador Mike Huckabee, who is a dear friend. This meeting was prearranged. I called Ambassador Huckabee a few days ago, and I said we should meet to discuss the incredible partnership and this unique force of good in the partnership between the United States and Israel in the war that is aimed to change the future of the region towards peace.”
He continued by thanking both governments and their leaders for their cooperation during the war. “I’m very grateful for this partnership. I want to thank President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu and their teams for working day in and day out with the heroes on the frontier who are working all the time in order to change the course of history.”
Herzog also described the emerging regional alignment as a positive development for the Middle East. “I believe that the coalition that we are seeing now emanating in the Middle East is a force of good. It’s a coalition of nations who want to seek a better future for the children of the Middle East. And I utterly believe that once you undermine this empire of evil emanating from Tehran, we will be able to offer avenues of peace, goodwill, and a prosperous future for the people of the Middle East.
“So thank you, Ambassador, for your steadfast support and for the wonderful, wonderful friendship and intimate, close cooperation between our nations.”
Ambassador Huckabee responded by expressing appreciation for Herzog’s outreach and for the relationship that has developed since he arrived in Israel. “Mr. President, thank you very much, first of all, for reaching out to me several days ago and saying, ‘Let’s get together and visit.'”
He went on to praise Herzog’s leadership and spoke about the close personal ties between their families. “President Herzog has been one of the most important friends that I have had since I have arrived here as Ambassador, and his leadership in this role has been not just important to us as a US government, but on a personal level, he and his wife have become very, very close to my wife and myself.”
Huckabee said both countries share a deep appreciation for the cooperation taking place between their governments and militaries. “Right now, we’re sharing a real sense of gratitude to both of our governments, to President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Israeli people, the American people, and both of our militaries for showing extraordinary precision in carrying out something that, frankly, has to be done.
“And I think most people in the world who understand this realize that for 47 years, the United States has been under the threat of this regime. They wish to destroy us, but they know they have to destroy Israel first. So that’s why for all of these many years, they’ve been consistent in their message: ‘Death to Israel, Death to America.’ And I’m just grateful that President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu decided that enough is enough.”
He acknowledged the seriousness of the moment but said the actions being taken are necessary. “This is not a pleasant time, but it is an important and a necessary time for us to say to the regime that you can’t keep killing Americans, Israelis, and frankly, people all over the world, not just directly, but through your proxies that have unleashed havoc around the globe.”
Huckabee added that the partnership between the United States and Israel remains exceptionally strong. “For all of those reasons today, President Herzog and I are able to sit and share the combined sense of appreciation that our governments are working in lockstep in intelligence, military capability, as well as in the political relationships-second to none in any relationship that we have in the United States, and for that, I’m certainly grateful.
“And President Herzog, I’m grateful to you and the Israeli people for the resilience and the resolve to make this finally the end of this threat to the US and to Israel.”
Herzog concluded the meeting by emphasizing the strength and determination of Israel and other countries in the region facing Iranian aggression. “Our nation is very strong and resilient. I must say that also the nations around us in this region being attacked by Iran are showing immense resolve and resilience.”
He called on the public to remain steadfast during the current period. “Now is the time for resilience, and we tell the people: this moment will be judged in history as a moment of change that will bring a better future for all, so now is the moment to be resilient. Thank you very much, Ambassador.”
Trump had sharply criticized Herzog on Thursday, saying the Israeli president should immediately pardon Netanyahu and rebuking him for failing to do so sooner.
In a phone conversation with Axios, Trump said he speaks frequently with Netanyahu about the war and believes the Israeli prime minister should not have to deal with the pressures of an ongoing corruption trial during the conflict.
“Every day I talk to Bibi about the war,” Trump said, according to Axios reporter Barak Ravid. “I want him to focus on the war and not on the …. court case. I want the only pressure on Bibi to be the fighting against Iran.”
Trump also asserted that Herzog had previously suggested he would issue the pardon but had not done so. “He told me he would give it to him. But he has held it over Bibi’s head for a year. Tell him I am exposing him. That president better damn well give him the pardon right now – and stop using it as leverage for his own political career.”
A senior Israeli official rejected Trump’s claim in comments to Axios, saying Herzog had never promised to pardon Netanyahu.
Trump also said he would not meet with Herzog until the issue is resolved. “I refuse to meet him until this thing is done,” Trump said.
{Matzav.com}