Title: Gov. Ron DeSantis Criticizes Biden Administration’s Israel Policies as “Disgraceful”
Subtitle: DeSantis prioritizes pro-Israel stance in competition for evangelical voters
Date: [Insert Date]
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida lambasted the Biden administration’s policies on Israel, describing them as “disgraceful” during his speech at the Christians United for Israel Summit in Washington. The annual gathering of conservative supporters of Israel provided DeSantis with a platform to showcase his unwavering support for the country while also positioning himself as a strong contender in the battle for evangelical voters, alongside former President Donald J. Trump.
At the summit, DeSantis reaffirmed his commitment to Jerusalem’s recognition as the capital city of Israel and vowed to vehemently oppose the boycott-Israel movement, which he criticized for promoting prejudice against the Jewish people. His pro-Israel remarks coincided with President Biden’s scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, as well as an upcoming meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
The Netanyahu government has cultivated close ties with evangelical Christians over the years, as many of them hold hawkish views and believe that Israel holds a special place in the eyes of God. DeSantis used his speech to emphasize the importance of backing Israel and to attack the policies of the White House. Many conservatives have sought to portray Democrats who criticize Israel as anti-Zionist or even antisemitic.
During his speech, DeSantis condemned movements that exclusively target Israel, calling such actions antisemitic. Notably, he refrained from mentioning the progressive Democrats who plan to boycott President Herzog’s speech to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday. Nevertheless, he sought to underscore his unwavering support for Israel and his opposition to White House policies.
Two of DeSantis’ Republican presidential rivals, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and former Vice President Mike Pence, also attended the event. Both speakers took direct aim at progressive Democratic Congresswomen, such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who have advocated for a shift in thinking about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, centering the debate on human rights concerns.
Haley criticized President Biden for taking an extended period to extend an invitation to Prime Minister Netanyahu after he resumed office in December. She specifically mentioned Representative Ocasio-Cortez and called for the censure of the so-called “Squad,” accusing them of promoting antisemitism. She asserted that it was time to eradicate antisemitism from America.
Recent years have witnessed the rise of antisemitism, with instances of bigotry and discrimination becoming more prevalent. The Democrats faced internal divisions as they grappled with Representative Pramila Jayapal’s characterization of Israel as a “racist state” during a progressive conference. However, Jayapal later expressed that she does not believe the idea of Israel as a nation is inherently racist but criticized the current government’s discriminatory policies.
Pence also denounced Jayapal, as well as Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, for what he deemed “antisemitic tropes” and remarks. He urged President Biden and all Democratic members of Congress to denounce their statements, claiming that they undermined the relationship between the United States and Israel.
In response to the criticism she received, Tlaib voiced her support for Jayapal, reiterating her assertion that the Israeli government is committing apartheid.
During his address, DeSantis rejected the long-held notion of a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and condemned efforts to impose a radical left-wing agenda through economic and business tactics. He further criticized the Biden administration’s treatment of Prime Minister Netanyahu, referring to their attempts to influence Israeli policy as “disgraceful.”
DeSantis garnered substantial applause and a standing ovation for his pro-Israel stance, solidifying his position as a candidate who champions Israel and its interests.
As the debate around Israel relates to human rights concerns and the potential for future conflict, policymakers and politicians from various political backgrounds will continue to grapple with finding long-lasting solutions that satisfy both sides of the divide.