Honored guests included Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, more than 30 Senators and members of Congress, senior members of the U.S. administration, foreign ambassadors, philanthropists and many more.
On Thursday, May 12, 2022, the Ambassador of Israel to the United States Michael Herzog hosted a celebration of Israel’s 74th Independence Day with more than 1,200 distinguished guests. The celebration took place at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., with Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas serving as the keynote speaker.
During his remarks, Ambassador Herzog spoke of the close ties between Israel and the United States: “The U.S. is Israel’s closest friend and most important ally. In a region, and world, characterized by turbulence, our two countries represent anchors of stability and democracy. Our unique alliance and friendship are rooted in shared values, beliefs and interests.”
Secretary Mayorkas also spoke about the importance of the Israel – U.S. alliance: “The partnership between the United States and Israel is strong. I am grateful for the partnership and proud of the friendship.”
In a video message, President Herzog spoke of the enduring partnership between Israel and the United States: “Both the State of Israel and the United States of America are the land of the free and the home of the brave. I’m proud of the far-reaching collaboration between our nations and I’m absolutely committed to further deepening our partnership in every field.”
President Biden offered his congratulations on Israel’s 74th Independence Day in a video message, saying: “A long, close friendship between our two countries began the moment the United States became the first country in the world to recognize Israel as an independent state. Our ties are unbreakable and I’m proud to stand with Israel today and always.”
The celebration included musical performances by renowned Israeli singer Keren Peles, who sang an iconic Israeli song to the tune of The Beatles’ “Let it Be.” The national anthems of Israel and the United States were performed by a children’s choir from a local public charter school which serves mostly non-Jewish students who learn Hebrew and are immersed in Israeli culture through the curriculum. These students do not have direct ties to Israel, making the performance even more meaningful and unique.
The emcee for this event was Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh, an Israeli Druze former Member of Knesset who now serves as the Senior Envoy of the Jewish Agency for Israel to the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.