Florida’s Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis, has pledged to halt what he sees as President Joe Biden’s “dismal handling of Israel,” suggesting this could be prompted by those promoting antisemitism within the Democratic Party. Speaking at the Christians United for Israel (CUFI) Summit, DeSantis emphasized that focusing excessively on a single country, especially Israel, the only Jewish state, potentially reveals underlying antisemitism.
DeSantis criticized the ongoing boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement, attributing it to the left and calling it an overt attempt to label Israel as a “scapegoat” and minimize its crucial role as the primary U.S. security ally amid the prolonged Middle East turmoil. He stated, “Such initiatives like BDS stem from antisemitism. We won’t permit those on the left to blame the world’s only Jewish state unfairly.”
If he were to become president, DeSantis committed to rejecting Biden’s perceived poor treatment of Israel and restoring a rock-solid U.S.-Israel bond. This implies non-interference in their domestic issues, adopting a hardline stance against Iran, and upholding Israel’s right to self-defense.
DeSantis criticized anti-Israel Democrats’ persistent offensive remarks, explicitly calling out Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., who claimed that “Israel is a racist state.” He refuted this, stating, “Israel is by no means racist. They are the most democratic country in the entire Middle East.”
The governor highlighted that Arab Israelis enjoy a better living standard than any other Middle Eastern country. He praised Israel as a beacon of freedom, continually resilient since its modern founding in 1948.
According to DeSantis, the relationship between the U.S. and Israel is reciprocal. He mentioned, “We’re a society based on Judeo-Christian principles, so there’s a unique bond between our two countries. They are our strongest security ally in the Middle East.”
He also urged Democrats critical of Israel to reconsider their stance, advocate for peace, and avoid further discord. DeSantis believes there’s a golden opportunity for a peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel, which could create a potent Middle East alliance against Iran.
He also emphasized the economic benefits of this relationship, particularly the innovation per capita in Israel. As Florida’s governor, DeSantis has cultivated strong ties with Israel and maintains that these relationships are essential for the U.S.
