This November, it is critical to choose a president who supports Israel. To do so, one must objectively evaluate how President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have treated Israel and Iran, an enemy of Israel and funder of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
On April 13, Iran conducted its first-ever direct attack on Israel. Afterward, Biden informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States will not support or participate in a retaliatory attack against Iran.
Less than three weeks after the October 7, 2023 attacks against Israel, Biden conditioned aid to Israel on the provision of aid to Ukraine and other demands. The Biden administration is also accused of delaying military aid to Israel that has been approved.
Biden's rhetoric against Israel has been negative. Three weeks after Hamas' attack, Biden called on Israel to cede territory and create a Palestinean state. Biden also told Israel to protect civilians in Gaza (and has continued to do so), which gives the implication that Israel is not doing enough to protect civilians in Gaza.
This inference increases negative perceptions of Israel and Jews, thus amplifying antisemitism. Biden's comments also ignore both Israel's measures to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza and Hamas' use of civilians as human shields.
It also overlooks the fact that, instead of indiscriminately bombing Gaza, Israel chose to attack Hamas as surgically and precisely as possible. This decision has undoubtedly led to more Israeli casualties.
At his March 8 State of the Union address, Biden was recorded on a hot mic telling advisers that he spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu and said to him that "you [Netanyahu] and I are going to have a 'Come to Jesus' meeting." One week later, Biden praised Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's March 14 speech in which Schumer stated that Israel should replace Netanyahu as prime minister.
On April 4, Biden spoke with Netanyahu and demanded an immediate cease-fire in Israel. If the immediate cease-fire were to take place, it would commence prior to the total destruction of Hamas or the release of the remaining hostages.
Historically, the United States has been Israel's longest-term ally and defender. Biden's implied criticism of Israel and demand for a cease-fire likely gave affirmation to those who criticize Israel and spread antisemitism. These opponents of Israel and Jews will now likely think that, if America is against Israel, then Israel must be in the wrong.
During Trump's time in office, he supported Israel. He relocated the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He recognized the Golan Heights as part of Israel. He shepherded the Abraham Accords which normalized relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan.
Biden has taken actions which have benefitted Iran and been a detriment to Israel. Most importantly, he funded Iran with over $70 billion through a combination of removing Trump-era sanctions and paying $6 billion in a prisoner exchange.
Biden restarted negotiations on the Iran Nuclear Deal. In January 2021, Biden removed a Trump-era designation of the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and, in January 2024, designated the Houthis as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization (which has fewer restrictions than Foreign Terrorist Organization).
The Houthis are responsible for killing three U.S. Army soldiers and wounding dozens of others in a January 29, 2024, drone attack.
The Biden administration, according to a Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) report, left $7.2 billion worth of top-grade American military equipment in Afghanistan including guns, ammunition, night goggles and planes. These materials are likely being used by terrorists.
Trump was tough on Iran and Middle East terrorists. Trump withdrew from the Iran Nuclear Deal. He implemented sanctions on Iran. Trump ended the ISIS caliphate.
Some have criticized Trump for his comments regarding Jews and their potential votes in November
. On March 18, during the podcast America First with Sebastian Gorka, Trump stated: "Any Jewish person that votes for Democrats hates their religion, they hate everything about Israel, and they should be ashamed of themselves because Israel will be destroyed."
On April 10, while speaking to reporters in Atlanta, Trump stated: "He [Biden] has abandoned Israel. And any Jewish person that votes for a Democrat or votes for Biden should have their head examined."
Trump's remarks are not antisemitic. He merely stated his belief that Jews should vote for Trump because the Trump administration was better for Israel and Jews. Trump's statements reaffirm his support for Israel and the Jews, and he believes that he is the best rpesident to protect them.
Analysis of Biden and Trump's support for Israel should focus on the measures that they have taken. Two facts are abundantly clear: President Trump has taken actions to support Israel; President Biden has taken steps to weaken Israel.
Michael B. Abramson is a practicing attorney. He is also an adviser with the National Diversity Coalition for Trump. He is the host of the "Advancing the Agenda" podcast and the author of "A Playbook for Taking Back America: Lessons from the 2012 Presidential Election." Follow him on his website and Twitter, @mbabramson. Read Michael B. Abramson's Reports — More Here.