Key Points from Israeli President’s Sky News Interview
This morning, Israeli President Isaac Herzog provided a comprehensive overview of Israel’s position on key regional and international issues during his interview with Sky News. He addressed the ongoing tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon, the mounting threat from Iran, and expressed frustration over recent British government actions.
The Conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon
Herzog emphasized that Israel is not interested in war with Lebanon, but he underscored that Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, is significantly escalating the situation. According to him, Lebanon has effectively fallen under Hezbollah’s control, posing significant risks to regional stability.
During the interview, Herzog presented images of Hezbollah commanders killed in a recent Israeli airstrike on Beirut. However, he strongly denied Israel’s involvement in the recent attacks on pagers and radios in Lebanon, which injured many civilians, stressing that Hezbollah has numerous enemies, and these incidents may have other origins.
Iran as a Global Threat
Herzog devoted a significant portion of the interview to Iran, referring to it as the “empire of evil.” He stressed that Iran continues to arm Hezbollah and is using it to further its strategic interests in the region and beyond. Herzog warned that Iran seeks to expand its influence not only across the Middle East but also into Europe and the rest of the world.
When asked about Israel’s potential response to the Iranian threat, Herzog confirmed that Israel is always prepared to defend its people and will eliminate any existential threats to its security.
Strained Relations with the United Kingdom
When questioned about the UK’s stance on Israel, Herzog expressed disappointment over the British government’s decision to suspend arms export licenses to Israel amid military operations in Gaza. Despite this, the president affirmed that the relationship between the two nations remains strong. However, he stressed that Israel expects support from its allies during challenging times.
“Between friends, there’s always an expectation of mutual support, especially in times of crisis,” Herzog remarked, highlighting the importance of allied relations between the two countries.
Cooperation with Benjamin Netanyahu
When asked about his working relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Herzog stated that he is committed to working with any government and prime minister to achieve peace and secure the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza. He also noted that the responsibility for resolving the hostage situation lies with Hamas commander Yahya Sinwar.
