U.S. president also met with Israeli opposition leader and former longstanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

By JNS

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday evening welcomed U.S. President Joe Biden at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.

Referring to Herzog by his nickname, Biden wrote in the President’s Residence guestbook, “Bougie, my friend, thank you for all you and your family have done to deepen the ironclad bond between our two great countries.”

“From our shared Irish roots to our shared love of Israel, we are united in heart and spirit. May our friendship endure and continue to grow! That is the Irish of it, as my grandfather Finnegan would say. God bless you. Joe. 7.14.22,” the U.S. president wrote.

Biden received Israel’s Presidential Medal of Honor during a ceremony, and, along with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, later attended the opening events of the Maccabiah Games at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem.

The U.S. president also met with current Israeli opposition leader and former longstanding premier Benjamin Netanyahu.