Speaking before the Romanian Parliament, Israeli President Isaac Herzog delivered a powerful address outlining Israel’s strategic vision, urgent security threats, and deep historical ties with Romania, News.Az reports.
Here are the 15 key takeaways from his speech:
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1. The Iranian threat goes far beyond the Middle East.Herzog said the Iranian regime and its proxies threaten global stability, freedom of navigation and democratic countries.
2. Iran’s ambition to become a nuclear-threshold state is a real threat to Israel.He stressed that Tehran must not be allowed to move closer to acquiring nuclear weapons.
3. Iran is trying to dictate Lebanon’s future.According to Herzog, Iran’s interference in Lebanon undermines the possibility of progress toward peace and security.
4. Israel is not opposed to a diplomatic solution.Herzog emphasized that Israel seeks peace and does not reject diplomacy, but its security cannot be put at risk.
5. Israel dreams of peace on all its borders.He described peace as Israel’s deepest hope and aspiration.
6. The memorandum between Israel and Lebanon could be a breakthrough for peace.Herzog called the recent memorandum of understanding an important step and a possible foundation for a future peace agreement.
7. The removal of Hezbollah is a necessary condition for real peace.He said a genuine peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon requires eliminating Hezbollah’s role and influence.
8. The United States played a key role in advancing this process.Herzog thanked President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the U.S. administration for their leadership.
9. Herzog praised Netanyahu and Trump for their leadership in the war against Iran.He said their actions were aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
10. Romania has shown moral and political solidarity with Israel.Herzog thanked Bucharest for its clear and firm position after the Hamas attack of October 7.
11. The October 7 attack was described as the most barbaric assault on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.He underlined the scale of the tragedy and the importance of the international response.
12. Romania became a “beacon of humanity” in Israel’s darkest hour.Herzog praised Romania’s support in the struggle to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
13. The international community must take a more principled position.He said the current geopolitical reality requires clarity, responsibility and support for countries confronting terrorism.
14. The EU must support Lebanon’s stability and Israel’s security.Herzog called on the European Union and the international community to support the memorandum, Lebanon’s economy and Israel’s security.
15. Israel and Romania are bound by deep historical ties.Herzog recalled that the first draft of the poem that later became Israel’s national anthem was written in Iași, Romania — a symbol of the Jewish people’s hope.
