Israeli President Isaac Herzog urged European leaders on Monday to reject calls for boycotts of Israel, stating that "threats will not advance peace. Dialogue will." Herzog made these remarks on the second day of a state visit to Romania, which coincides with the 85th anniversary of the Iași pogrom.
Arriving in Bucharest, Herzog was received at the Presidential Palace by Romanian President Nicușor Dan. The visit included a red-carpet honor guard ceremony and bilateral meetings. In joint statements, Herzog highlighted the "over 78 years of diplomatic ties" between the two nations and discussed expanding cooperation in technology, innovation, cyber, AI, security, agriculture, culture, and tourism. He also expressed gratitude for Romania's support following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks.
"Israel and Romania meet today as two strong and vibrant democracies," Herzog stated, framing Israel's ongoing conflict as part of a larger struggle against Iran and its regional proxies. He identified Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis as Iran's "terror proxies" involved in a "war being waged by Iran’s empire of evil against the free world." He specifically acknowledged Romania's understanding of this threat and its "steadfast support for Israel during this challenging, but vital, battle."
Herzog also welcomed a U.S.-brokered framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon, signed Friday in Washington, describing it as a potential "cornerstone of peace." He urged the European Union and the international community to support this agreement.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan underscored the growing economic and defense cooperation between the countries and opportunities for bilateral investment. He also emphasized the significance of Herzog's visit in commemorating the Holocaust-era Iași massacre, during which more than 13,000 Jews were killed. Dan warned of rising hate speech and called for efforts promoting "de-escalation, de-radicalization, and a sense of communion among people of different opinions, religions and beliefs."
President Herzog began his visit on Sunday in Iași, where he participated in memorial events for pogrom victims, including a ceremony at a mass grave site and the reburial of recently identified remains.