Israeli President Isaac Herzog praises Donald Trump on Inauguration Day, calling him a “true friend” of the country and thanking him for his efforts to secure the release of Hamas hostages.
“On behalf of the people of Israel, I send you my sincere congratulations, President Donald Trump, on your inauguration as the 47th POTUS.” Herzog wrote in X.
“You are a true friend of Israel. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and to building a better future for our region. “A special thank you for your commitment to bringing all of our hostages home,” he continued.
“We wish you and your administration great success in your service to the American people. Good luck!” Herzog added.
RELEASED ISRAELI HOSTAGE SPEAKS FOR THE FIRST TIME
Israeli President Isaac Herzog (left) and President-elect Donald Trump. (Antonio Masiello/Valerie Plesch/Getty Photographs)
The comments come a day after Hamas released to Israel three hostages it had held captive for nearly 500 days, as part of a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
In exchange, Israel freed 90 Palestinian prisoners in the West Bank.
“Let’s face it, the fact that President Trump had a clear message: ‘When I take office, I want to see the hostages out, or else there will be a lot to pay,’ had a huge impact in the Middle East, and we are “We are hopeful that with his leadership we will see the 98 hostages leave starting today with the three female hostages,” Ronen Neutra, whose son Omer was killed by Hamas terrorists, told Fox Information on Sunday.
ISRAEL RELEASES 90 PALESTINIAN PRISONERS AS PART OF CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT TO RELEASE HOSTAGES
Emily Damari, right, and her mother Mandy near Kibbutz Reim, southern Israel, after Emily was freed from captivity by Hamas militants in Gaza on Sunday, January 19. (AP/Israeli Army)
Trump said last week: “This EPIC ceasefire agreement could only have happened as a result of our historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire world that my Administration would pursue peace and negotiate agreements to ensure the security of all Americans. . and our allies.
President Isaac Herzog shakes hands with President Biden during a meeting at the White House on November 12, 2024. (Alex Wong/Getty Photos)
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“I am delighted that the American and Israeli hostages are returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones,” he wrote on Fact Social.
Fox Information’s Taylor Penley contributed to this report.
