President Herzog Addresses Joint Plenary of the Romanian Parliament

President Isaac Herzog: “The most recent MOU between Israel and Lebanon, signed in Washington a few days ago, is a major breakthrough for peace and can serve as a cornerstone moving forward. I thank President Trump and Secretary Rubio and the Administration for sponsoring this important step, and I call upon the European Union and the international community to support it”

On June 29, 2026, President Isaac Herzog delivered an address before the joint plenary of the Romanian Parliament during his state visit to the country.

Upon his arrival at the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest, President Herzog met with the President of the Senate, Mircea Abrudean. He then met with the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Sorin Grindeanu, and additional senior government officials.

President Isaac Herzog’s remarks:

“I am honored and humbled and moved to be welcomed here today in the Parliament of Romania, sanctuary of democracy and supreme symbol of the values that sustain the Romanian nation as a free, open society. I thank President Nicușor Dan for inviting me to visit the Republic of Romania, and I am delighted to join you today in your nation’s capital, beautiful Bucharest.

“The relationship between Israel and Romania has evolved in so many spheres and has ripened into a strategic anchor of stability and collaboration. In recent years, both nations have played an increasingly important role in bolstering each other’s security and regional and international security.

“Romania has become a global role model in Holocaust remembrance, historical accountability, and education. I have seen how your efforts to combat antisemitism, hate speech and xenophobia, and your proactive adoption of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, have served as a gold standard in protecting thriving democracies from the poison of hate. I commend your robust legislation, including the bill initiated by our friend, MP Silviu Vexler, and adopted by this distinguished chamber. We all hope to see the implementation of the most recent bill combating antisemitism.

“Romania’s principled position is exactly what is required from the international community at this particular point in our geopolitical reality. Because by now there can be no doubt: the threat posed by the Iranian regime and its proxies extends far beyond the Middle East. It challenges global stability, naval freedom, and democracies.

“The Americans and Israelis went to war with Iran to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons, and prevent this Empire of Evil and its proxies from threatening all peace-loving nations in the Middle East. I commend US President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu for their leadership in this war. I must stress, to you and to the world: Israel is not opposed to a diplomatic outcome of the war. On the contrary, we seek peace. We dream of peace on all frontiers; it is our fondest hope and deepest yearning.

”But Iran’s desire to become a nuclear threshold state is a tangible threat to Israel, and Iran’s audacity to dictate the future of Lebanon undermines the possibility of moving towards peace and security. The most recent MOU between Israel and Lebanon, signed in Washington a few days ago, is a major breakthrough for peace and can serve as a cornerstone moving forward. It requires the removal of Hezbollah and enables a platform for a true peace agreement between the countries.

”I thank President Trump and Secretary Rubio and the Administration for sponsoring this important step, and I call upon the European Union and the international community to support it, to support the stability and economy of Lebanon, and the security of Israel.
“I thank the Romanian government for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel, in defense of regional resilience, in defense of the moral architecture we have all worked to build, and I have spoken about it at length today with President Dan.”