President Isaac Herzog this evening (Wednesday) addressed a gathering of the IDF 7th Armored Brigade.
In his remarks, President Herzog said: “In just a few days, I will pay an important visit to the United States, to mark seventy-five years of Israeli independence, and seventy-five years of our solid alliance, which lies above and beyond any and all disagreements."
"Here, on the battlefields, at a time when our enemies over the border in Syria and Lebanon, led by Iran, are trying to test us. I say what I will also say in Washington: Israel and the United States are strong and strategic, democratic allies of the highest level. Our enemies should not underestimate us.
"Our enemies should be in no doubt, we are perfectly entitled to our internal, even difficult, debates. It is an essential part of vibrant and healthy democracies. But we are stronger than ever. Those who try us will find us determined, united, and strong. The alliance between Israel and the United States is unbreakable and irreplaceable. Just like Israeli democracy - which is also unbreakable and irreplaceable. It has always been and will always be,” Herzog concluded.
The President's remarks follow Thomas Friedman's column in the New York Times in which he claimed that the US is "reassessing" its relationship with Israel.
Friedman claimed that during their upcoming meeting, US President Joe Biden will tell Herzog that "when the interests and values of a US government and an Israeli government diverge this much, a reassessment of the relationship is inevitable.
White House and Israeli diplomatic officials denied that any such reassessment is being discussed.