Israel's Ambassador to the US Michael Herzog Addresses Christian Students in Washington

Israel's Ambassador to the US, Michael Herzog, delivered one of his final speeches as ambassador at an event in Washington, where he addressed hundreds of Christian students who had gathered for a weekend of Israel advocacy. The event, organized by Inspire and Passages, is part of Herzog's efforts to strengthen ties with the Christian community, especially in the fight against antisemitism and in support of Israel.

Herzog, who was appointed as ambassador in the summer of 2021 by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, spoke passionately about the vital role Christian supporters play in advocating for Israel. He emphasized that the values shared by Israel and its Christian allies, such as a commitment to life and the future, were in direct contrast to the destructive forces they face.

“Your advocacy, rooted in faith and the love of life, is crucial in this battle,” Herzog told the students. “We value life, while our enemies value death. We focus on the future while they seek to revive the dark past.”

The speech also highlighted the deep importance of the Israel-Christian partnership, with Herzog noting that the conflict with Israel’s enemies cannot simply be understood in political terms—it is a "clash of civilizations." He underscored that Israel’s struggle is not only for its own survival but for the future of the free world as a whole.

Herzog expressed confidence in the unwavering support of the American people, saying that despite protests, the US-Israel relationship has remained strong. He particularly lauded the bipartisan political and diplomatic support Israel has received, including efforts to combat blood libels at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and International Criminal Court (ICC).

Looking ahead, Herzog outlined two key areas of focus: countering the Iranian nuclear threat, which he described as a significant risk to Israel, the region, and the world, and the potential normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which he sees as a transformative opportunity.

In recognition of his service, Herzog and his wife, Shirin Herzog, were presented with the Afghan Liturgical Quire, the oldest Hebrew prayer book in the world, by museum co-founders Jackie and Steve Green. This gesture symbolized the resilience of the Jewish people and the strong bond between Israel and the US.

Passages, which organized the event, has brought over 11,000 North American Christian students to Israel since its inception in 2016. The organization aims to deepen the connection between Christian communities and Israel, with student trips that include visits to Israeli communities affected by conflict and hands-on volunteer work.