Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Tuesday received the credentials of seven newly appointed ambassadors to Israel.
In a series of official ceremonies at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, Herzog accepted the diplomatic credentials of the envoys of the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Brazil, Cyprus, Peru and Côte d’Ivoire.
First to present his diplomatic credentials to the president was the incoming ambassador of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Fe’ni Kouakou. “The relations between our countries are excellent, and we have built historic cooperation that stems from the love of the Bible, the love of humanity and the pursuit of peace,” Herzog told Kouakou.
On behalf of Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, the new ambassador invited Herzog to visit the West African nation.
With incoming Cypriot Ambassador Kornelios S. Korneliou, Herzog discussed “ongoing efforts to expand cooperation in the field of energy,” a press release noted, adding that the “strategic relations between Israel and Cyprus” are an “example for the region.”
For his part, U.K. Ambassador to Israel Simon Walters stressed that “Iran is not only a threat to the Middle East, but a threat to the entire world” and claimed that the British government’s position regarding the Islamic Republic has been “very firm.”
To France’s new envoy, Frederic Journes, Herzog stressed “the challenges facing our country, among them Hezbollah’s activity in Lebanon and Iran’s refusal to cooperate with IAEA inspectors,” which he said must be “a red alert” for Paris.
“There is a deep and historical connection between our countries and peoples,” the president told Ambassador Journes. Herzog’s great-grandfather, Yoel Leib Herzog, once served as the chief rabbi of Paris, noted the president.
The seven diplomats were welcomed by an Israel Defense Forces honor guard that played each country’s national anthem. Following the official ceremonies, Herzog met with the ambassadors, after which they signed the president’s guest book.
Each ceremony concluded with the playing of Israel’s national anthem.
