The White House issued a statement of congratulations to Issac Herzog, who was named Israel's 11th president on Wednesday.
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Herzog, 60, the son of Israel's sixth President Chaim Herzog and the chairman of the Jewish Agency, was elected via a special Knesset session. Herzog won a decisive victory over rival candidate, Israel Prize laureate Miriam Peretz, with 87 MKs giving him their votes – the largest majority vote in any presidential election to date.
The statement issued by US President Joe Biden read, "On behalf of the people of the United States, I extend my warm congratulations to Isaac Herzog on his election to serve as the 11th President of the State of Israel.
"Throughout his career, President-elect Herzog has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to strengthening Israel's security, advancing dialogue, and building bridges across the global Jewish community. I am confident that under his presidency, the partnership between Israel and the United States will continue to grow and deepen.
"I also want to thank President Reuven Rivlin for his many years of service to the people of Israel. I look forward to welcoming President Rivlin to Washington in the weeks ahead to honor his dedication to the enduring partnership and the close friendship between our two nations."
Jewish leaders in the United States and elsewhere also welcomed Herzog's election.
"I cannot think of a better or more able representative of the State of Israel and the people of Israel – Jews and Arabs, religious and secular," said World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder.
"Noting Herzog's family history – his father, Chaim Herzog, a general in the Israel Defense Forces, served as Israel's sixth president; and his grandfather, Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog, served as the chief rabbi of Ireland, and later, following Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, the Ashkenazi chief rabbi of Israel – Lauder said that Herzog "brings to this new position the dignity and depth of a true statesman.
"Following on his distinguished service as chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Isaac Herzog brings to the Israeli presidency a profound understanding of and appreciation for the mosaic that is world Jewry in its glory and diversity," Lauder said.
"It is with great pride that I congratulate the next president of Israel, our chairman of the executive Isaac Herzog," said Michael Siegal, the Jewish Agency's chairman of the board of governors. "His unwavering dedication to the Jewish people and to serving the State of Israel is an inspiration, and we will all undoubtedly continue to benefit from his leadership."
The American Jewish Committee also congratulated Herzog on his election, noting his deep experience in understanding global Jewry.
"We wish President-elect Isaac Herzog much success in fulfilling the duties of this high office, which is vital to the well-being and standing of Israel in the global community," said AJC CEO David Harris.
"He brings enormous assets to the position, including an unusually deep understanding of world Jewry, including the American Jewish community. It is vitally important that Jews – whether in Israel or elsewhere – feel connected to, and welcomed by, the office of Israel's president. In that spirit, as we have with each president since the state's rebirth in 1948, we look forward to working closely with Mr. Herzog after he takes office on July 9."
The Israeli-American Council said that it hopes Herzog "will build on his experience working with Diaspora Jewry and the Israeli-American community to strengthen their bonds with the State of Israel, and deepen the connection between the American and Israeli people."
The Orthodox Union also welcomed Herzog's election, noting the key role that the Israeli president plays in relations between Israel and American and other Diaspora communities.
"Throughout his many years of service in the Knesset, to Israel and in the Jewish Agency, Mr. Herzog has become known for his respectful, soft-spoken manner and for eschewing partisan rancor and feuding," said Orthodox Union President Moshe Bane.
"He will undoubtedly represent the best of Israel, both within and beyond its borders, and we look forward to working with him during what is sure to be a successful tenure," the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations said in a statement.
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The Combat Antisemitism Movement praised Herzog's commitment to fighting antisemitism.
"Not only is he a long-standing friend and adviser to CAM, but for many years he has been one of the strongest and most powerful advocates for the Jewish people and against antisemitism globally," said director Sacha Roytman-Dratwa. "
No doubt, he will continue to proudly advocate for Jewish rights and wider tolerance as president. He will no doubt represent Israel and the Jewish people as a whole with great distinction."
J Street said it hopes that Herzog will help "strengthen Israeli democracy, reinforce the relationship between Jews globally and the State of Israel, and promote a vision of peace and equality."
Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent his congratulations.
In a statement released by the Kremlin late Wednesday, Putin said, "Russia and Israel enjoy friendly relations. I hope that your work as head of state will contribute to the further development of multifaceted and constructive bilateral cooperation, including interaction in international affairs. This undoubtedly meets our peoples' fundamental interests."
JNS.org contributed to this report.
