Israeli President Isaac Herzog hails JD Vance’s visit as a symbol of U.S.–Israel solidarity and Trump-led momentum toward lasting Middle East peace.
In a warm and symbolic meeting at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife on Wednesday, praising the Trump administration’s steadfast role in advancing Israel’s security and regional peace.
“Welcome, Vice President JD Vance — you and your wife, our dear friends. The nation of Israel is overjoyed that you’re here,” Herzog said. In a personal tribute, Herzog lauded Vance for his bestselling book Hillbilly Elegy, calling it “an inspiring story about responsibility, resilience, and giving hope to the underprivileged.”
Drawing on Israel’s legacy of striving for peace, Herzog invoked the words of the late Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin, who said, “The torments of peace are much better than the agony of war.” Herzog added, “The fact that you’re here is another brick in building the future of peace. Thank you for that — and thank President Trump. We are all grateful for his steadfast insistence on moving forward.”
Herzog emphasized that peace must be coupled with justice and humanity:
“We must move forward. We must offer hope for Israel, the Palestinians, our neighbors, and the future of our children. As the first step, we insist on bringing home all our hostages for proper burial. I know you’re meeting families today — thank you for that.”
Vice President JD Vance expressed deep appreciation for the welcome, saying,
“It’s great to be with you, and it’s great to be in the Holy Land. We’re here to talk about peace — to make sure the agreement that began a week ago endures and moves into the next phases successfully.”
He acknowledged that the process would be “difficult and full of torments,” but voiced strong optimism:
“I feel very encouraged after conversations with our Israeli friends and our Gulf Arab partners. It is possible to make peace stick — to create a new environment where Israelis and Gulf nations can build a better Middle East together.”
Vance stressed that the Trump administration’s 20-point plan seeks not only to secure Israel but to reshape the region through Arab-Israeli cooperation, economic growth, and the permanent dismantling of terrorist threats.
“We believe this peace is in the best interests of the United States,” Vance said. “But more importantly, it’s in the best interests of everyone who lives here — Israelis, Palestinians, and their neighbors. We’ll keep working on it, together.”
The meeting, rich with symbolism and warmth, highlighted the shared vision of faith, partnership, and resilience that continues to define the U.S.–Israel relationship under the Trump administration’s leadership.
