President Joe Biden arrived late Thursday afternoon to a red carpet welcome at the official residence of Israel’s President Isaac Herzog.
The Israeli president and First Lady Michal were both on hand to greet the American leader, along with Israeli schoolchildren dressed in white, waving Israeli and American flags.
Writing in the presidential guest book, Biden inscribed:
“Bougie, my friend, thank you for all you and your family have done to deepen the ironclad bond between our two great countries. From our shared Irish roots to our shared love of Israel, we are united in heart and spirit. May our friendship endure and continue to grow! That is the Irish of it, as my grandfather Finnegan would say. God bless you. Joe. 7.14.22.”
Biden had reminded Herzog that his grandfather, Ireland’s Chief Rabbi Isaac Ha’Levi Herzog, was once known as the “Sinn Fein Rabbi,” and noted that he and his Israeli counterpart both share Irish connections.
“It’s a great day for the Irish,” Herzog quipped in response, quoting former US President Ronald Reagan, who said the same upon meeting former Israeli President Chaim Herzog – the current president’s father.
Biden will be honored by Herzog with Israel’s Presidential Medal of Honor and is scheduled to launch the opening ceremonies for the Maccabiah Games – Israel’s Jewish Olympics – tonight at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem.
He is set to meet with Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his talks with Herzog and before the Maccabiah Games are set to begin.
