Many exciting moments happened to President Yitzhak Herzog during the two days he spent in Brussels, the unofficial capital of the European Union.
He continued the legacy of his father the president and his grandfather the chief rabbi, and on the occasion of International Holocaust Day he represented the cause of the Jewish people with respect.
He spoke in Hebrew in the Parliament of the European Union, recited the prayer "God is full of mercy", inaugurated the "Refugee" painting at the entrance to the building, "so that everyone who enters here will see it", did not spare the Europeans responsibility for the past, and called them to act in the present against Iran And against the return of anti-Semitism in Europe.
He made a little history as the most senior Israeli to ever visit NATO - another sign of the strengthening of Israel's position. Herzog may not be charismatic, but his words were precise and striking.
The European Parliament during President Herzog's speech, photo: AFP
In his speech, Herzog said: "The values of freedom, equality, justice and peace, shared by Europe and Israel, are the fundamental values enshrined in the declaration of independence of the State of Israel, and we will preserve and protect them at all costs."
Still, the moments that touched the heart in particular were in the meetings with the Jewish community.
10,000 Jews live in Brussels.
It is hard to grasp how hostile the atmosphere is towards them and towards Israel.
The Israeli Embassy routinely receives letters from Natza, sometimes even from children.
Various organizations announce new boycotts against Israel every morning, and Jewish students hide their identities for fear of being harmed.
The president during his visit to the NATO headquarters in Brussels, photo: Haim Tzach/L.A.M
Ancient and murderous hatred
Here, in the nerve center of the European Union, the one whose leaders also pledged yesterday to Herzog "never again" and that "anti-Semitism is anti-European";
who preaches morals about peace and liberalism, and moves millions of euros there to civil society organizations - under the nose of this enlightened and rich institution burns the same ancient and murderous hatred towards the Jews.
In this freezing atmosphere, Herzog's warm embrace brought a blush to the cheeks of the parishioners.
The top of NATO asked the president that the new government in Israel re-examine the nature of the aid it provides to Ukraine. "There is an appreciation for Israeli aid, an expectation that it will help more, but an understanding of the circumstances that prevent it, the understanding that Iran-Russia-Ukraine has become a central issue," said the president.
He added that he "moves everything in the sky so that Iran will not be a partner in any negotiations and is an enemy of Europe. In response to Israel's question today whether the Europeans expect the aid to be of a military nature, Herzog said: "There is a great understanding of what Israel is doing on the humanitarian side and they understand how much This is important for the mental strength and the civil infrastructure in which Israel assists. NATO's request was to see what else could be helped within the limits."
Herzog in NATO, photo: Haim Tsach/L.A.M
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