‘A true friend of Israel’ - Israeli leaders thank Biden after he withdraws from US presidential race

Shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential campaign on Sunday evening, Israeli politicians, most of them from left-leaning parties, quickly wrote messages to Biden, thanking him for his support of Israel. 

Opposition leader Yair Lapid, who heads the Yesh Atid party, was the first Israeli politician to post a message on social media thanking Biden. He posted a photo of himself with Biden, accompanied by the words, "Thank you."

Yair Golan, chairman of The Democrats, a newly formed left-leaning Israeli political party created through the merger of the Labor and Meretz parties, wrote: “There has never been a Zionist American president like Biden. President Biden stood and stands with Israel during its most difficult days when so many have abandoned. Thank you for your work, thank you for standing firm with Israel.” 

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was the first coalition member to thank Biden for his support, writing in English on 𝕏: “Thank you President Joe Biden for your unwavering support of Israel over the years.” 

Thank you President @JoeBiden, for your unwavering support of Israel over the years. Your steadfast backing, especially during the war, has been invaluable. We are grateful for your leadership and friendship. 🇺🇸🇮🇱

— יואב גלנט - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) July 21, 2024

Israeli President Isaac Herzog also thanked the U.S. president in a post in English, expressing his “heartfelt thanks to President Joe Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people.” 

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to @POTUS Joe Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades long career.

As the first US President to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, and as a true…

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) July 21, 2024

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also thanked Biden in English. He called him "a true friend of Israel, who stood by us in our most difficult moments. During my tenure as Prime Minister, I witnessed his steady support. Thank you for everything.” 

Writing after midnight Israeli time, Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity party and former War Cabinet member, also thanked Biden in a post in English. 

“For more than half a century, Joe Biden has been a true friend of the one and only Jewish state, and an ally of the Jewish people,” Gantz wrote. 

For over half a century Joe Biden has been a true friend of the one and only Jewish State, and an ally of the Jewish people.

His deep personal affinity for Israel and his moral embrace of Zionism will forever be cherished and remembered by the people of Israel.

President… pic.twitter.com/p22NMmAe2l

— בני גנץ - Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) July 21, 2024

The mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Ron Huldai, said, “There has never been a greater supporter of the State of Israel than President Biden. One could say the last Zionist president. Thank you, President.” 

Shortly before taking off for his trip to the U.S., Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted his upcoming meeting with the U.S. president.

“I plan to see President Biden, whom I've known for over 40 years,” Netanyahu said. “This will be an opportunity to thank him for the things he did for Israel in the war and during his long and distinguished career in public service, as Senator, as Vice President, and as President.” 

The majority of coalition members did not publicly comment on the announcement of Biden’s withdrawal.

Israel's UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan, referred to Biden's departure in an interview on Monday morning, calling him "an Israel-loving president." He also claimed that Biden's Israeli detractors "will miss him."

"Biden is an Israel-loving president. We have differences of opinion with the American administration, but anyone who thinks Biden was problematic for Israel will miss him when we see Democratic leaders who will face more pressure from the party," Erdan said.

Biden has often been the target of criticism among the coalition over his treatment of Netanyahu, his staunch support for a two-state solution, his sanctioning of the settler movement, and his willingness to free up funds for the Iranian regime.