Jerusalem, 5 May, 2022 (TPS) — On the occasion of Israel’s 74th Independence Day, President Isaac Herzog has received congratulatory letters and video messages from world leaders, including the Presidents of the US, France, Germany, China, Russia, Turkey, and India, and the Kings of Spain, Thailand, and the Netherlands.
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., of the United States of America said in a video message, “The long and close friendship between our countries began the moment the United States became the first country in the world to recognize Israel as an independent state, just eleven minutes after your founding. And in seventy-four years of progress and partnership, we have achieved so much together, from collaborating on cutting-edge science and technology research to trailblazing new regional ties, to ensuring Israel’s security.”
President Biden went on to declare that America’s partnership with Israel has been indispensable for the US and for Israel as well.
“Our ties are unbreakable and I am proud to stand with Israel today and always. Happy Independence Day!” he declared.
President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic said in a video message, “You know about my profound attachment to Israel. The closeness between our two countries are rooted in the richness of our human ties, which unite us.”
President Macron added that Israel could count on him to reinforce this at all levels, including in the European Union.
President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, with whom President Herzog recently conducted the first-ever phone call between a Chinese and an Israeli president, wrote in a letter, “Since China and Israel established diplomatic relations 30 years ago, the two countries have had close exchanges at all levels, with continued growth of cooperation and deepened friendship between the two peoples.”
Adding that he attaches high importance to the China-Israel relationship, President Xi Jinping went on to say that he would like to work with President Herzog, “to deepen mutual political trust between China and Israel, enhance mutually beneficial cooperation, expand friendly exchanges, and elevate the China-Israel innovative comprehensive partnership to a new height.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an of the Republic of Turkey, who hosted President Herzog on a historic state visit in March, wrote, “In the new period in our relations, heralded by Your Excellency’s visit to our country in March, I sincerely believe that the cooperation between our countries will develop in a way that serves our mutual national interests, as well as regional peace and stability.”
President Herzog also received greetings from President Ram Nath Kovind of the Republic of India, who wrote, “The potential for cooperation between our countries is boundless and we are keen on expanding its scope.” And India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a video message, “Even though this is a new chapter, the history of the relations between our two countries is very old. I hope that we would be able to further deepen our relations in the years ahead.”
Acknowledging his people’s responsibility for the Holocaust, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of the Federal Republic of Germany said in a video message, “Seventy-four years ago, Theodor Herzl’s dream of a homeland for the Jewish People came true. Conscious of the heavy historical guilt of Nazi crimes against the Jewish People, we Germans are deeply moved by Israel’s friendship. For this unique and new trust, we will always be grateful.”
President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation also sent his congratulations to Israel, but did not mention anything about the current diplomatic row between the two countries. This was sparked by Russia’s Foreign Minister’s comments that Hitler had some “Jewish blood” himself and that many Jews are themselves, anti-Semites.
But President Putin did express his expectation of good relations between Israel and Russia in the future writing, “I am confident that Russian-Israeli relations based on the principles of friendship and mutual respect will continue to develop for the benefit of our peoples and in favor of strengthening peace and security in the Middle East. I wish you good health and every success, as well as happiness and prosperity to all the citizens of Israel.”
President Katerina Sakellaropoulou of the Hellenic Republic, who also recently hosted President Herzog on a state visit, said, “I am happy to acknowledge that Greece and Israel, two countries with long historic legacies, have achieved within such a short time a deep and strategic relationship.” President Nicos Anastasiades of the Republic of Cyprus added, “This occasion presents us with the opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary deepening and widening of the strategic relationship between the governments of Cyprus and Israel on all fronts and the reinforcement of ties between our people.”
Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid recently met in a tripartite summit in Greece with his Greek and Cypriot counterparts in which the three reviewed their respective nations’ responses to the current fighting in Ukraine. They also discussed the future coordination over matters concerning the Eastern Mediterranean region, including responses to the challenges of climate change and the threat of a nuclear Iran.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan noted in a video message that Israel and Japan are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations and said, “I am determined to lift the Japan-Israel relations to a new height and to contribute toward the realization of Middle East peace. I wish further progress and prosperity of Israel and great happiness of the people of Israel.
President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea expressed his hopes to continue advancing Israeli-Korean relations, and President-Elect Yoon Seok-Youl wrote, “I look forward to working in cooperation with you in order to continue promoting the shared interests of both states in order to continue developing our close relations.”
