Israeli opposition leader Isaac Herzog spoke at The Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly in Washington, DC, on Monday. Photo: Wiki Commons.

JNS.org – “When it comes to Israel’s security, there is no opposition,” Israeli opposition leader Member of Knesset Isaac Herzog (Labor) said Monday at the General Assembly of The Jewish Federations of the North America (JFNA).

“We will always support, as a position, whatever it takes to foster Israel’s security and qualitative [military] edge,” he said.

Herzog said regarding Monday’s meeting at the White House between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Barack Obama, “I sincerely hope that what comes out of the meeting has to do first and foremost with strengthening and fostering Israel’s security.”

The opposition leader expressed hope that the “vociferous debate” on the Iranian nuclear issue between the Israeli government and the Obama administration “is behind us.”

“I think we must go back, we must return to intimate relationships between the Oval Office and the Prime Minister’s Office,” said Herzog.

After Netanyahu said he supports a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians in public comments before his meeting with Obama, Herzog told the JFNA conference that he hopes the prime minister’s words will translate “into actions and deeds as well.”

Herzog also called for frank discourse about the U.S.-Israel relationship.

“We have to deal with our problems and talk about them…we owe a frank and open discussion on all the topics that are on the table. And I’ve come here to talk to you about it,” he told the crowd. “I’ve come to talk to your warm jewish heart, and your moral code, and your moral values, and to the incredible, unique Jewish success story.”