Israel’s President Isaac Herzog and his wife, Michal, paid their respects to Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday, passing by her coffin as she lay in state inside Westminster Hall.
President Herzog was also pictured signing a Book of Condolences at Lancaster House.
“On behalf of the State of Israel, its citizens, and the Jewish People, I paid respects to HM Queen Elizabeth II at her Lying-in-State,” Herzog tweeted. “The Queen was a true ‘woman of valour,’ as we say in the Jewish tradition, a beacon of stability and a historic figure. We grieve with Britain.”
In a video message, President Herzog said, “She was truly a leader that transcends time, intergenerational, she saw where the world was 70 years ago and how it is today. Her reign was truly majestic and she truly personified the word majesty,” he said.
“In fact, she showed stability, strength, and wisdom which was radiated throughout the world.”
The “amazing” scenes outside as mourners queued to visit the Queen lying in state were something “we will never forget.”
Herzog also explained the affection that his late father and his mother had for the Queen, visiting her three times.
“The people of Israel and the people of Britain are really close friends and our nations are closer than ever,” he said.
נשיא המדינה הרצוג ספד למלכה אליזבת השנייה, ושלח תנחומים בשמם של אזרחי ישראל והעם היהודי. הוא שיבח את תקופת מלכותה הארוכה, ואמר שזו סימלה יציבות וחוכמה. הנשיא ציין את הרקע המשפחתי שלו, וסיפר כיצד אביו וסבו פעלו בשירותה של בריטניה בעבר pic.twitter.com/nWYJOTZoBP
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) September 18, 2022
Herzog also offered supportive words to King Charles, quoting Proverbs 29:4 in Hebrew, which in the English NKJV version states, “The king establishes the land by justice.”
He added, “I would like to wish King Charles III a long reign of peace, justice, stability and dignity. May he succeed and God bless the King,” he declared.
On behalf of the State of Israel, its citizens, and the Jewish People, I paid respects to HM Queen Elizabeth II at her Lying-in-State. The Queen was a true "woman of valour," as we say in the Jewish tradition, a beacon of stability & a historic figure. We grieve with Britain.🇮🇱🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/Nu08OcyPbI
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) September 18, 2022
On Sunday evening the President and Mrs Herzog attended a state reception for the visiting world leaders, hosted by King Charles.
Guests included US President Joe Biden, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Also on the guest list were many heads of Arab states, among them King Abdullah II of Jordan and Queen Rania, Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the prime minister and vice president of the United Arab Emirates.
Kuwait Crown Prince Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, were also at the event, described in British press as “the reception of the century.”
It was the largest such British royal reception for world leaders since the death of Queen Elizabeth II’s father, George VI, in 1952.
We call upon the UK Government to officially recognise Jerusalem is Israel's capital and move its embassy to Jerusalem.