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Israeli President congratulates Trump on his inauguration and thanks him for his commitment

January 20, 2025
Isaac Herzog Photo: Haim Zach / GPO

Israeli President Isaac Herzog congratulated Donald Trump on Monday on his inauguration as US president, just hours before he takes the oath of office: “You are a true friend of Israel,” he wrote on social media.

“On behalf of the people of Israel, I send you my warmest congratulations, President Donald Trump,” the Israeli presidency said in a statement.

Herzog praised Trump for his “unconditional commitment” to Israel’s security and to the return of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

“If they are not back by the time I take office, all hell will break loose in the Middle East, and it will not be good for Hamas, nor will it be good, frankly, for anyone. Chaos will break out.”, said the incoming president of the United States on January 7 during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

Yesterday, the day of the start of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the first three hostages were released in the enclave in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners. After the release of the three, 91 of those held since the terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023 (plus three people kidnapped previously) remain in the Strip.

According to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, at least 35 of those still in captivity are dead, although the number could be higher.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also congratulated the tycoon on Monday: “President Trump was Israel’s greatest friend and ally during his first term,” he said in the Knesset (the Israeli parliament).

“We hope that his second term will take the great alliance between Israel and the United States to new horizons,” he concluded.

In Israel, Trump's return to power was seen as a potential push to end the war in Gaza.

In his first term, Trump promoted the Abraham Accords, through which Israel normalized relations with several of its Arab neighbors: first the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, then Morocco. Israeli analysts believe that the crown jewel that still remains, Saudi Arabia, could be next in line for this second term.

Agencies contributed to this Aurora article.

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