In addresses to the foreign diplomatic corps and heads of non-Jewish religious communities at the annual Independence Day reception, peace with Lebanon figured prominently in the speeches of President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. They co-hosted this event at the President’s Residence.
In a departure from tradition, the event took place in the morning instead of the late afternoon. The event that usually takes place in the morning is a ceremony honoring 120 outstanding soldiers. However, the diplomatic reception was held in the morning as the military event had been pre-recorded on video.
Referring to the time change, Herzog declared this to be a period of historic times. He also said that decisions by leaders and nations can affect the future of the region for generations to come.
In relation to the war with Iran and Hezbollah, he emphasized: “This is a battle for the future of our children.”
Harking back to the first reception for the diplomatic community, which was hosted by Israel’s first president, Chaim Weizmann, Herzog underscored that no Arab ambassadors or diplomats from Muslim countries were present.
He was happy to welcome both on Israel’s 78th anniversary of independence and was hopeful that more would attend next year following the expansion of the Abraham Accords. He expressed the possibility that by then, any talk of war will be in the past tense, ensuring that future generations of children “will inherit opportunity instead of fear.”
His big dream, he said, was to get into a car and drive straight to Beirut. “But first we have to be able to defend our borders,” he added.
Herzog urges regional nations to communicate with Israel
Implying that no progress can be made without direct communication, Herzog urged the leaders of Lebanon and other countries in the region to at least talk to Israel.
Turning to freedom of worship for people of all faiths, as enshrined in Israel’s Declaration of Independence, he assured the non-Jewish religious leaders present that Israel offers full equality and full respect to all faiths. He also thanked the representatives of the countries that are allied with Israel in fighting antisemitism.
Sa’ar, in an attempt to define the meaning of Zionism, said that it is “restoring the ability of the Jewish people to defend themselves by themselves. We harm only those who rise up to eliminate us,” he stated. “What is Zionism? It is the right of the Jewish People in its own state.”
Sa’ar was bothered by the fact that no other nation is judged in the same manner that Israel is judged, and he questioned whether any other nation in the world would be accused of indiscriminate acts when it retaliated after an attack.
“The world order is falling apart before our eyes,” he said, noting that Iran attacked eleven states during the war. “Does the free world do anything to rescue the world order? The free world does not have the basic willingness to defend its own security,” he charged, adding that “the international community has a weak ability in a crisis.”
Sa’ar queried what would have happened in the world if Israel had not prevented Saddam Hussein from using nuclear weapons.
“All the fruits of Israel’s actions are enjoyed by the Middle East and the free world, even as they condemn us,” he said.
Yet for all that, Israel is always willing to hold out the hand of peace, said Sa’ar, referring to the historic decision to enter into direct negotiations with Lebanon, which has so far refused. He attributed the refusal to Hezbollah, claiming that they are the obstacle.
Calling on the Government of Lebanon to work with Israel against Hezbollah, Sa’ar said there is no real alternative to a future of peace for Lebanon and for Israel, and voiced the opinion that it was even more important for Lebanon than it is for Israel.