President Isaac Herzog says his "dream" is to see Israel establish peace with Saudi Arabia
By Sammy Tisser,
President Isaac Herzog says his "dream" is to see Israel establish peace with Saudi Arabia, expressing hope that he will one day officially meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and saying Israelis "want most" to see closer ties between the two countries.
Speaking to Saudi-owned Al Arabiya, Herzog also said he hopes Israel will eventually reach peace agreements with Lebanon and Syria, adding that he dreams of driving to Beirut and Damascus. "The region should move to peace, not to an arms race of swords and threats," he says, while calling for direct negotiations backed by the United States.
Addressing Iran, Herzog says he was "not surprised" that last month's US-Iran memorandum of understanding unraveled, arguing that "it's impossible to do deals" with Tehran because "they violate all the time." At the same time, he voices full confidence in US President Donald Trump and says he also respects Vice President JD Vance, adding he is pleased Washington's response to Iran's alleged violations has been "firm and clear."
On the war in Gaza, Herzog says his "heart aches" for innocent Palestinian civilians killed in the fighting, stressing that "this is not our aim or desire in any way." He adds that Gaza's residents "deserve a good life" and says Israel wants them to have one.
Topics: Iran, Lebanon & Hezbollah, Gaza
Reported by Sammy Tisser for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.