Joe Biden
The presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee also reiterated that he would reopen the U.S. consulate in eastern Jerusalem, which primarily serves the Palestinians.
The next Israeli government will need to pay “very close attention” to U.S. developments; “invest a good part of their time” in talking to all elements of the Jewish community; and “heal some of the wounds to the best of their ability while sustaining bipartisanship,” says Eran Lerman, vice president of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security.
The former vice president said “the move shouldn’t have happened in the context as it did,” but seems intent on keeping the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem.
Former Vice President Joe Biden’s embrace of J Street’s endorsement comes at a time when many are concerned about the erosion of support for Israel within the Democratic Party, especially with far-left Democrats like Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) openly endorsing the BDS movement.
Regarding how a Joe Biden administration might react to West Bank annexation, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) said “it’s hard to exactly prejudge the circumstances on the ground as of January of next year, and we only have one president at a time.”
It would include increasing funding by “multiples” for U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
JStreetPAC also intends to raise $5 million for some 175 congressional endorsees, who make up more than half of the House and Senate Democratic caucuses, in the 2020 cycle.
“We need you in the White House,” the Vermont senator said to the former vice president via live stream, where the two appeared on split screens. “And I will do all that I can to make that happen.”
It conducted a conference call with Jewish leaders and extolled Biden’s “relationship with the Jewish community and his support for Israel.”
“As senator and vice president, Joe Biden has proven he will fight for Democrats’ broad vision for America, including a strong U.S.-Israel relationship,” said DMFI PAC president Mark Mellman.
Following Super Tuesday, where 14 states voted, Michael Bloomberg only won American Samoa and picked up 44 delegates overall.
“‘Israelis wake up every morning facing an existential threat from their neighbors,” said the former vice president, citing the constant threat Israel faces on its southern border with the Gaza Strip.
