Israeli officials react to US President Joe Biden's exit from the presidential race

Following US President Joe Biden's announcement that he would be exiting the presidential race on Sunday, Israeli officials responded to the decision.

President Isaac Herzog, in a statement published to X, stated, "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."

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

"As the first US President to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, and as a true ally of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples. I send him, @FLOTUS Jill Biden, and all his family, my warmest wishes from Jerusalem."

Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid, in a statement to X, wrote "Thank you," alongside a photo of the two leaders. 

Thank you. pic.twitter.com/mJtvHwDIqT

— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) July 21, 2024

Democrats leader Yair Golan responded to US President Joe Biden's announcement on Sunday that he would not be seeking reelection.

"There was no Zionist American president like Biden. President Biden stood and stands alongside Israel in its most difficult hour, when so many jumped ship. Thank you for your actions, thank you for standing strongly by Israel, Golan said.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant thanked the President for his "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."

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

National Unity Party Leader Benny 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."

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

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett wrote to X, "President Biden is a true friend of Israel who stood by us in our most difficult moments."

"During my tenure as Prime Minister, I witnessed his unwavering support of the State of Israel. Thank you for everything."

President Biden is a true friend of Israel who stood by us in our most difficult moments.During my tenure as Prime Minister, I witnessed his unwavering support of the State of Israel.Thank you for everything.

— Naftali Bennett נפתלי בנט (@naftalibennett) July 21, 2024

Former Labor leader Merav Michaeli commended Biden's decision to exit, writing on X, "Thank you, @POTUS Joe Biden, for promoting the values of democracy and equality around the world, and for your unwavering support for Israel."

"Your wise and strong leadership, and your tremendous achievements for Americans and for democracy will be remembered for many years."

Thank you, @POTUS Joe Biden, for promoting the values of democracy and equality around the world, and for your unwavering support for Israel. Your wise and strong leadership, and your tremendous achievements for Americans and for democracy will be remembered for many years.…

— Merav Michaeli מרב מיכאלי (@MeravMichaeli) July 21, 2024

"Bless you, and thank you very much," Michaeli concluded. 

Former foreign affairs minister Tzipi Livni wrote on X, "Thank you @POTUS President Biden for being the moral compass of the free world. Thanks for truly caring for Israel’s security and future. We’ll always cherish your friendship, @Joe Biden, a great American president."

Thank you @POTUS President Biden for being the moral compass of the free world .Thanks for truly caring for Israel’s security and future. We’ll always cherish your friendship, @Joe Biden, a great American president .

— ציפי לבני Tzipi Livni (@Tzipi_Livni) July 21, 2024

The first member of the government coalition to respond was Noam MK Avi Maoz of Noam. 

"Biden's leaving the presidential race creates an opportunity for change and repairment of the relationship with our greatest friend, so that we will be partners without sanctions on settlers, or an embargo on munitions," Maoz said.

פרישת ביידן מההתמודדות לנשיאות, יוצרת הזדמנות לשינוי ולתיקון מערכת היחסים עם ידידתנו הגדולה ביותר, כך שנהיה שותפים בלי סנקציות על מתיישבים ובלי אמברגו על חימושים. מאחל הצלחה לראש הממשלה נתניהו בשליחותו החשובה והמורכבת לארה״ב. pic.twitter.com/uYt18p6e0G

— אבי מעוז (@AVI_MAOZ) July 21, 2024

MK Merav Ben Ari of Yesh Atid also wrote on X, "President Joe Biden is a lover of Israel, a man who stands by our side throughout the most difficult period for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. He is a Zionist, values-minded, and loves people. Thank you, Mr. President."

הנשיא ג'ו ביידן הוא אוהב ישראל, אדם שעומד לצידנו לאורך התקופה הקשה ביותר לעם היהודי מאז השואה,הוא ציוני, ערכי ואוהב אדם.Thank you, Mr. president

— מירב בן אריMerav Ben Ari (@Meravbenari) July 21, 2024

MK Naama Lazimi of the Democrats wrote on X, "Thank you, @POTUS," and included a photo of Biden holding four-year-old former hostage and American citizen Abigail Idan." 

Thank you! @POTUS pic.twitter.com/XahZOtLyYu

— Naama Lazimi - נעמה לזימי (@naamalazimi) July 21, 2024

Former MK Mossi Raz wrote on X, "The news of Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race is unfortunate. Biden was one of the best presidents in general and the president most sympathetic to Israel in particular."

הידיעה על פרישת ביידן מהמירוץ לנשיאות מצערת. ביידן היה מהנשיאים הטובים בכלל והנשיא הכי אוהד לישראל בפרט. מחויבותו לעסקת חטופים וחזון שתי המדינות יזכרו לטובה לעד. הפסדנו חבר

— Mossi Raz | מוסי רז | موسي راز (@mossi_raz) July 21, 2024

"His commitment to the hostage deal and the vision of the two countries will be fondly remembered forever. We lost a friend," Raz's statement concluded.