Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he and US President Biden discussed issues ranging from Iran's nuclear threat to Israel's internal situation at their White House meeting on Tuesday.
"We discussed thus many issues, including the Iranian nuclear threat," Herzog said after the meeting.
"And naturally, we also discussed the internal issues in Israel, how important they are to the world, of course, where they stem from."
Sitting by Biden's side at the start of their Oval Office meeting on Tuesday, Herzog told Biden that Israel's democracy remains “sound, strong” and “resilient” while acknowledging the country is going through a fractious moment.
Herzog's visit comes a day after Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone and invited him to meet in the US this fall, although the president expressed reservations about several of the Netanyahu hard-right coalition's policies.
Netanyahu’s government is pushing forward with judicial changes that have sparked widespread protest in Israel and he has authorized the construction of thousands of new housing units in the West Bank.
“We are going through pains. We are going through heated debates,” Herzog said. “We have gone through challenging moments. But I truly, truly believe and I say to you Mr. President, as I’ve said it as head of state to the people of Israel, we should always seek to find amicable consensus, and I agree with you on that as well.”
During his US visit, Herzog is also to meet Vice President Kamala Harris and congressional leaders. On Wednesday he will become the second Israeli president, after his father Chaim Herzog, to address Congress. His speech will mark Israel’s celebration of its 75th year of independence.
