Israeli leader awards Joe Biden with "presidential medal"

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has awarded US President Joe Biden with the “presidential medal” at Israel’s Presidential Residence.

The medal is awarded to individuals and organisations for their contribution to Israeli society, the maintenance of peace, as well as their contribution to the social and cultural life of the country, newsru.co.il reports.

The medal was presented to Biden as a true friend of Israel for his commitment to the security of the Jewish state, and for his contribution to the fight against anti-Semitism and those who spread hatred against Israel.

Biden, in a response speech, noted that the US commitment to the security of Israel is not his personal merit or the merit of any other US president. According to him, this is required by friendship and strong ties between the peoples of the two countries. “And our task as leaders is to realise this. As long as the US exists, Israel will not be alone,” Biden said.

The presidential medal, established in 2012, has been awarded 26 times, including Henry Kissinger, Judith Feld Carr, Zubin Mehta, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Elie Wiesel, Angela Merkel, and Meir Lau.