President Barack Obama will “stand strong as a lion” for Israel’s security, said Israeli President Shimon Peres, at a Tuesday celebration in Israel honoring the United States’ July 4th holiday.
Peres was speaking at U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro’s residence in Herzliya, Israel Tuesday night, as part of a July 4th celebration. His statements were published in the Friday weekend edition of Israel Hayom newspaper.
Peres said he was certain that “the U.S. will stand against any hint of threat and danger,” in reference to recent threats made against his nation by Iranian officials.
“Obama will stand strong as a lion in order to ensure his country’s security and Israel’s well-being,” he added.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is known to have a strained relationship with Obama, did not attend the event.
He sent a message via video saying that the U.S. is a “leader of one of the world’s most vibrant democracies … I appreciate all the great sacrifices that America has made in order to advance liberty and democracy throughout the world.”
Sara A. Carter is The Washington Examiner’s national security correspondent. She can be reached at [email protected].
