Israeli Pres Herzog tells Biden in meeting 'Joseph will strengthen Israel,' urges unity against Iran's 'Empire of Evil'

In a meeting at the White House on Tuesday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised U.S. President Joe Biden for supporting Israel and stressed the need for a continued, unified opposition against the Iranian regime and its terror proxies.

“It’s always a great honor being here in the Oval Office and with a friend such as you, Mr. President,” Herzog began. 

He then led into the “sad news of the day” and shared with Biden that “in the last two hours, two Israelis were murdered by rocket attacks from Lebanon.” 

It was also recounted to Biden that “earlier in the day a kindergarten teacher of children with special needs rescued bravely and wisely the toddlers in the kindergarten from a drone attack.” 

Herzog told the U.S. president, “I know you are working very hard to make sure this war ends…first and foremost [for] the security for the people of Israel as well as for the people of Lebanon.”

He noted the need for America and Israel to continue working together against the Iranian regime.

“It all starts in Tehran,” Herzog argued. “It all starts in the empire of evil, where Tehran with its proxies, they're doing whatever they can to erase stability and security and peace, calling for the annihilation of the State of Israel and seeking nuclear weapons.”

With global antisemitism at an all-time high, and the recent pogrom in Amsterdam, Herzog reminded Biden of Iran's role as a “major engine of antisemitism," adding, "and I know how much you put a focus on fighting and combating antisemitism.” 

In his closing remarks, the Israeli leader thanked Biden “on behalf of the People of Israel, the nation of Israel, and the State of Israel.”

“As we say in Hebrew, Toda Raba,” he said. “You've been an incredible friend of Israel and the Jewish people for decades, and we will never forget, ever, in history how you stood up with us in our darkest hour, which became our finest hour, how you came to Israel a few days after the barbaric attack of October 7th, how you helped us and supported us with words and deeds.”

He then gifted Biden with “an archaeological artifact from the foot of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, which has the word Joseph.”

Although commonly known by the nickname “Joe,” Biden’s legal first name is Joseph.

“As you know in the Bible, it says that Joseph will strengthen Israel,” Herzog said. “And clearly, Mr. President, you’ve done it. Thank you very much.”

Responding to Herzog’s words, Biden said, “I hope my father heard it. [He] was what we call a righteous Christian,” and “he couldn’t understand why we didn’t move more rapidly back in World War II” to oppose the Nazi regime.

Biden then added, “You don’t have to be a Jew to be a Zionist.”