President Joe Biden received the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor on Thursday during a reception in Jerusalem for his continued dedication to the relationship between the two countries.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog presented Biden with the award, highlighting his decadeslong friendship with the country, and praised the president’s “ironclad” dedication. Biden’s relationship with Israel began when he was a senator and has continued during the last 50 years.
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“You have been a faithful, lifelong friend of the state of Israel and the Jewish people. Your tireless advocacy of the enduring U.S.-Israel partnership in word and in deed has withstood the test of time,” Herzog said.
Biden called the award a “great honor” and celebrated the friendship of the countries that has become stronger over the years.
“As a leader, I can say without hesitation that being known as a friend of Israel and receiving this award today is among the greatest honors of my career. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart,” Biden said during his remarks. “There’s a hymn that’s based on one of the Psalms. And it says, ‘May He raise you up on eagle’s wings and bear you on the breath of dawn. Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.’ Well, every time I’ve come over these years, thank God, God seems to be holding us in the palm of his hand because we get stronger, not weaker. And to me, it’s pretty miraculous.”
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The award, which is the highest honor given by the president, is typically given to someone who has made an extraordinary contribution to Israel. Former President Barack Obama, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger have all received the award.
The ceremony came during Biden’s trip to the Middle East, where he will meet with leaders of the Palestinian Authorities on the West Bank and the leaders of Saudi Arabia over the weekend, before returning to the United States.
