Israeli President Isaac Herzog addresses Congress, emphasizing strength of U.S. ties

Washington — Israeli President Isaac Herzog sought to reassure U.S. allies Wednesday on the state of Israel's democracy and the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship, in a speech to Congress acknowledging "intense and painful debate" at home over actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hardline government.

Herzog, whose post in Israel is largely symbolic, became the second Israeli president, after his father, Chaim Herzog, to address Congress. While his speech officially marked modern Israel's celebration of its 75th year, he also indirectly addressed deep unease in the Biden administration and among Democratic lawmakers over the Netanyahu government's controversial overhaul of Israel's judicial system, expanded Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank and other matters.

The divide was reflected in the audience of House and Senate members Wednesday. While lawmakers in attendance repeatedly rose to their feet in thundering applause of Herzog's recounting of Israel's founding, a handful of leading young progressive Democrats boycotted his speech.