President Isaac Herzog said in an interview with Fox News that Israel is not opposed to a diplomatic end to the war, but insists its security concerns must be addressed. He warned that no peace agreement with Lebanon can work while Iran has major influence there through Hezbollah, calling on the world to confront Tehran and make clear that it has no role in Lebanon.
Herzog said Israel and the United States are in close, open, and trustworthy contact at all levels. He said the two countries may disagree at times, but that Israel is on the front line, absorbing Iranian and proxy missile fire, and is working with Washington to ensure Iran does not obtain nuclear capability or become a nuclear threshold state.
Looking to the northern border, Herzog said that after a recent visit there he addressed the Lebanese public and leadership in Arabic. He stressed that “Israel has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon” and that there are no fundamental disputes between the two countries. “We want peace, and my dream is to take a car and drive all the way to Beirut,” he said.
At the same time, Herzog said Hezbollah continues to block peace and destabilize the region. He asked, “How can there be peace between Israel and Lebanon when Hezbollah is kidnapping Lebanon?” He said Hezbollah has repeatedly violated the ceasefire and is armed by Iran, adding that someone has to do the work and that, for now, it is Israeli soldiers. He said the only alternative would be a diplomatic solution that makes clear Hezbollah is disarmed and can no longer prevent peace. Herzog ended by praising Donald Trump’s efforts and saying legitimate concerns should be discussed properly.
