For Israel, DeSantis would be a better president than Biden

Israel, our closest friend and most crucial ally, was attacked by the Iranian-backed Hamas terrorist group. From the start, we have seen a split-screen of contrasted leadership on display in America. On the one hand, we have seen the major consequences of President Joe Biden’s disastrous foreign policy that contributed to this horrendous attack on Israel. On the other, we have seen Governor Ron DeSantis make it clear that America must unequivocally support Israel and reverse Biden’s appeasement of Iran and its terror proxies.

Iran-backed Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel and massacred men, women, children, and grandparents. Social media has documented the brutal murder and rape of hundreds of Israeli and some American civilians. Like barbarians, Gaza’s Iran-backed terrorists gleefully paraded dead bodies through the streets. Entire families, including the elderly, women, and children, are still being held hostage within Gaza itself while thousands of rockets continue to rain down.

Actions have consequences, and for years, President Biden has signaled weakness in a region that only respects strength while keeping our closest ally Israel at arm’s length. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not been received at the White House, and the administration has focused its energies on shamefully meddling in Israel’s domestic affairs. An American president, through his actions, must show the world that the US stands with Israel and reverse the disastrous policies that embolden the Iranian terrorist regime and its terror proxies.

Iran has become stronger

This administration gifted Iran billions of dollars in sanctions relief, including close to $30 billion in lax enforcement of oil sanctions, $10 billion from Iraq, and $6 billion in ransom payment. Iran, a regime known for chanting “Death to Israel and Death to America,” unsurprisingly chose to direct these funds to unleash terror on Israel. Nevertheless, throughout his years in office, Biden has minimized the Iranian threat and wrongly assumed that the Islamic Republic could be a trusted partner in a nuclear agreement.

Thanks to Biden, Iran has also been using these additional resources to finance its nuclear-weapons program and is closer than ever to obtaining nuclear weapons. His administration still refuses to explicitly acknowledge Iran’s clear role in being behind these horrific attacks on Israel.

Furthermore, Biden’s appointed special envoy to Iran, Robert Malley, an Iranian-regime apologist and appeaser now under federal investigation for potential mishandling of classified information, and Ariane Tabatabai, the chief of staff for the assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, have been linked to an Iranian influence network. Yet Biden still has not held them accountable for any potential violation of the law.

Despite the dangerous policies coming from the Oval Office, Americans have reason for hope in leaders like Ron DeSantis. As a congressman, DeSantis stood up to Iran, opposed the original Iran deal, and unequivocally supported Israel, including its duty to defend itself from security threats. DeSantis has become Israel’s most pro-Israel governor – not just with words, but also with his actions.

The Florida governor visited Israel twice; he led a historic trade mission to Israel in 2019 and returned to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Israel’s founding a few months ago. Dozens of MOUs have been signed, strengthening cooperation in science, technology, commerce, and academics. Bilateral trade is at an all-time high, and Florida has purchased more Israel Bonds than ever before.

When Israel was being targeted with discriminatory and antisemitic BDS, DeSantis pushed back against those companies, putting enormous pressure on them to back down. He succeeded where others have failed to even try. During this past legislative session, he expanded Florida’s anti-BDS law, making it the strongest in the country. The governor ensured Florida will not have contracts or investment in companies that embed anti-Israel ratings in their investment criteria.

Since this war began, DeSantis has been visible and vocal, announcing that he unequivocally supports Israel for as long as it takes to defeat Hamas. He has made it clear that he supports Israel using overwhelming force to restore security for its citizens. He has taken additional steps to enhance security and protection for Florida’s Jewish communities against antisemitism, condemned reprehensible pro-Hamas rallies, and issued guidance for the state’s educational institutions to combat antisemitic harassment against Jewish students.

DeSantis has pledged to provide Israel with any resources to help with its missions. Last Tuesday, at The Shul of Bal Harbour, I personally heard him announce that he will be working to impose the strongest state-level sanctions on Iran in the country. While Biden has been missing in action as the war unfolds, DeSantis has been front and center, doing all in his power to support Israel and the Jewish people at this time of need.

DeSantis has made it clear that as US president, he would reverse all of Biden’s appeasement policies towards Iran and impose crippling sanctions. Any foreign adversary, especially Iran, will know not to mess with the United States, Israel, or any of our allies. DeSantis will deepen the US-Israel relationship in unprecedented ways, and Israel will know no stronger ally.

The writer has served as a board member of ZOA (Zionist Organization of America) Florida. He has served in leadership roles of Jewish organizations, and in 2021, received the Zionist In The Spotlight Award at the 2021 ZOA Superstars Gala.