PRESIDENT HERZOG: Good morning, Mr. Secretary. Welcome again to Israel. I must say that we feel you are a part of our nation in coming here again and again, and so showing such great friendship and support for the state of Israel, and we are indeed grateful for that.
In the last 24 hours, we have witnessed ongoing terror attacks by Palestinian terrorists. We have suffered the loss of Gideon Perry, a 38-year-old father of three, husband, a lover of music, who went to work in a plant and one of his pals in the working place decided to murder him simply because he’s a Jew and an Israeli – a very great tragedy. Last night we’ve witnessed a suspected major terror attack in Tel Aviv, which is under investigation, with a possible suicide bomber. And this morning our soldiers have been attacked in Ya’ara – Ya’ara is on the border with Lebanon – by Hizballah terrorists with drones, and there is information that we have suffered possible casualties. We are under review of this. And this is the way we are living these days; we are surrounded by terror from the four corners of the Earth and we are fighting back as a resilient and strong nation.
And it also reflects – is reflected in the attitude of Hamas in the negotiations for the release of our hostages. Because one has to remember the refusal, the adamant refusal – and I’ve been following your statements on this for months. At the end, at the bottom line of it, people have to understand it starts with the refusal of Hamas to move forward.
We are simply still very hopeful that we can move forward in the negotiations that are held by mediators, and I want to thank the United States, Egypt, and Qatar for their efforts on behalf of this noble cause. There is no greater humanitarian objective and there’s no greater humanitarian cause than bringing back our hostages home as they should have returned long ago. We want to see them back home as soon as possible. There’s no greater prayer and there’s no greater hope and no greater effort than doing everything possible to bring them back home – and it is in fact at the top agenda of world affairs these days as projected by Security Council resolution which you, Mr. Secretary brought forward and passed in a historic step as well as conclusions from all world leadership including G7 on this issue. So let’s try our best efforts to bring them back home alongside protecting Israeli security interests.
And finally Mr. Secretary I want to thank President Joe Biden my good friend President Joe Biden his administration leadership supporting Israel during these dire complicated times amassed powerful impressive coalition armies navies powers protect interests coalition nations wants peace better future Middle East against empire evil emanates Tehran thank personally thank President projecting power region message clear no one should attack Israel meddle inherent right self-defense
Thank you very much Mr Secretary
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well Mr President thank you very much always good be with you good be back Israel ninth visit since October 7th Israel Middle East decisive moment probably best maybe last opportunity get hostages home get ceasefire put everyone better path enduring peace security
I’m here part intensive diplomatic effort President Biden instructions try get agreement line ultimately over line time get done also time make sure steps derail process working make sure escalation provocations actions any way could move away getting deal over line matter escalating conflict other places greater intensity
I know fraught moment Israel deep concern possibility attacks coming Iran coming Hizballah other sources heard president say United States taken decisive action deploy forces deter attacks necessary defend against attacks
But focus visit intensely getting hostages back getting ceasefire done time everyone get yes not look excuses say no look forward day ahead seeing prime minister defense minister other senior officials but always pleasure start day with you
Finally mourn losses president shared last 24 hours Thank you PRESIDENT HERZOG Thank you very much
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