Israeli President Issac Herzog on Saturday night hailed the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of a supplemental aid bill that includes $17 billion in defense funding for Israel.
“On behalf of the entire Israeli people, I send my deepest thanks and appreciation to the U.S. Congress, President [Joe] Biden, Speaker [Mike] Johnson and Rep. [Hakeem] Jeffries and all the American people,” said Herzog.
“The overwhelming bipartisan support for Israel is a striking testament to the fact that Israel has no closer ally than America, and America has no closer ally than Israel,” he added.
House Speaker Johnson (R-La.) shepherded the bill—part of a larger foreign aid and national security package—to a successful 366-58 vote, with 37 Democrats and 21 Republicans opposing.
The bill, which also includes $9 billion for humanitarian aid to Gazans and others involved in conflicts around the world, now heads to the Senate.
“As Israel faces threats from seven different fronts including Iran, the U.S. stands with Israel. Thank you to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for your bold leadership in passing critical aid for Israel in the House of Representatives,” said Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
“Thank you to President Joe Biden and the U.S. administration for your unwavering support for Israel,” he added.
