DeSantis Criticizes Biden’s Treatment of Israel at CUFI Summit; Vows to Support America’s Closest Ally

Edited by: TJVNews.com

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is also a 2024 presidential candidate, recently accused President Joe Biden of mishandling the relationship with Israel and interfering in the country’s internal affairs. Speaking at the Christians United for Israel (CUFI) Summit on Monday, DeSantis emphasized the need for the United States to stay out of Israel’s internal politics and allow the country to govern itself.

DeSantis told the CUFI assemblage that Biden should “butt out” of Israel’s internal politics and “let Israel govern itself.”

Israel National News reported that in a dig at Biden for not inviting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House until today, DeSantis said: “As president, I will welcome Prime Minister Netanyahu to come visit the White House and we will welcome being able to go to Israel.”

He accused the BDS movement of being anti-Semitic for solely targeting the world’s only Jewish State for boycotts and sanctions, according to the INN report.

“When you concoct a movement that focuses all of your ire at the only Jewish state in this world, at the exclusion of all these other things that are going along you don’t care about boycotting the CCP, you don’t care about boycotting all these rogue regimes you only care about applying disfavor treatment to the State of Israel. That is anti-Semitism and that is wrong,” he said, the report said.

Speaking to the Daily Mail at the conference, DeSantis said that the administration’s treatment of Israel is “horrendous” and accused far-left Democratic lawmakers of “scapegoating” Israel.

The Florida governor has expressed such sentiments before, even prior his entry into the US presidential race in May. Al Jazeera reported that in November, for example, he told the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual conference that Judea and Samaria which is known as Israel’s biblical heartland was “not occupied” but rather “disputed”.

“I don’t care what the State Department says,” he added, the Al Jazeera report said.

Furthermore, he condemned the BDS movement for its exclusive targeting of Israel, considering it anti-Semitic. DeSantis’s remarks highlight the growing pro-Israel stance among Republican presidential candidates, as they aim to appeal to their right-wing base.

DeSantis labeled the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement as anti-Semitic for exclusively targeting Israel while disregarding other international issues. He argued that singling out the world’s only Jewish state for boycotts and sanctions while ignoring actions of other rogue regimes demonstrated a clear bias and anti-Semitism. The governor’s strong condemnation of the BDS movement underscores his commitment to defending Israel’s interests and opposing discriminatory practices.

DeSantis also voiced his opposition to the Biden administration’s support for a “two-state solution” based on pre-1967 borders. He argued that these borders were indefensible and criticized the proposal to divide Jerusalem. DeSantis asserted that peace could not be achieved with those who denied Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. By taking this stance, he positioned himself against Biden’s policy and aligned with a more conservative approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

DeSantis’s comments reflect the growing significance of the pro-Israel stance within the Republican Party, particularly among its right-wing base. As a presidential candidate, DeSantis aims to appeal to conservative voters who prioritize a strong relationship with Israel. By criticizing Biden’s policies and vowing unwavering support for Israel, DeSantis positions himself as a viable alternative to former President Donald Trump, who enjoys substantial support among Republican primary voters.

DeSantis’s comments come as Israeli President Isaac Herzog — who serves in a largely ceremonial role — is set to visit Washington, DC, on Tuesday, raising questions as to why Netanyahu was not invited.

Later on Monday, Netanyahu’s office said that Biden invited the Israeli prime minister for talks in the US during a phone call between the two leaders, without specifying a timeframe or where the meeting would take place.

As the 2024 presidential primaries approach, DeSantis aims to differentiate himself from other candidates by emphasizing his unwavering support for Israel and commitment to its interests.