Israeli President Yitzchak Herzog on Thursday congratulated U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on his “overwhelming victory,” wishing him and his administration success.
The Israeli head of state “thanked President Trump for his longstanding steadfast friendship and support for Israel,” according to a statement from the President’s Residence in Yerushalayim. Herzog also “expressed his confidence that President Trump would continue to work tirelessly to promote peace and security for Israel and the broader Middle East.”
During their conversation, Trump emphasized his “love and support” for the Jewish state, the Israeli president’s statement noted. The two men were said to have agreed to remain in close contact to strengthen cooperation and deepen “the ironclad alliance between the two nations.”
Herzog stressed to Trump the “urgent need” to secure the return of the 101 hostages still held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza for almost 400 days, including Americans, due to their “unimaginable cruelty and suffering.”
Herzog publicly congratulated Trump on Wednesday morning, calling him “a true and dear friend of Israel, and a champion of peace and cooperation in our region.”
“I look forward to working with you to strengthen the ironclad bond between our peoples, to build a future of peace and security for the Middle East, and to uphold our shared values. On behalf of the Jewish and democratic State of Israel, and all our people, I wish you much success,” tweeted Herzog.
Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu was among the first world leaders to congratulate Trump on his election victory during a phone call on Wednesday.
The conversation, which lasted some 20 minutes, was described by Yerushalayim as “warm and cordial.” The two were said to have “agreed to work together for Israel’s security and discussed the Iranian threat.”
Earlier Wednesday, the Israeli premier hailed Trump’s “historic return” to the White House. The Republican candidate’s landslide win “offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America,” Netanyahu said.
(JNS)