More than 50 years of the history of relations between former President Joe Biden with Israel is marked by unwavering support, personal commitment, and complex political processes. The causes of the current stance of Biden can be traced back to his childhood when he was in public office, although his current administration has also contrasted significantly with his loyalties during the current war against Hamas. The actual story behind the issue of Biden being a supporter of Israel is discussed in this blog: its background, how it played out in his rule, the challenges and scandals that the issue has created.
Supporting Israel has been a part of Joe Biden since the very beginning of his political and public life, as this is a part of his very political and personal identity. When he started to work as a US Senator (Delaware) in 1973, Biden did not hesitate to speak in defense of Israeli legitimacy and safety. His dedication was fueled by personal ideologies, politics, and the overall picture of the Cold War. The notorious statement made by the then 43-year-old Senator Bookboe Spyglass Biden was during June 1986, when he said, Unless there was an Israel, the United States of America would have to invent an Israel to protect her interests in the region.” His opinion on Israel as an important US ally in a dangerous Middle East that is crucial to American strategic interests was summed up in this comment. He has referred to himself as a “true believer” in Zionism and the notion that Israel is the Jewish people’s homeland.
Legislative advocacy and bipartisan support
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Biden remained one of the non-stop advocates of actions that helped strengthen United States and Israel relations. Based on reservations that Saudi Arabia posed a possible security threat to Israel, he denied arms supplies to the nation in 1986. He endorsed the idea of diplomatic operations and military assistance packages that were to enhance the position of the Israelis in the region.
When he was the vice president of Barack Obama, Biden played a significant role in the creation of US policy regarding Israel and the greater Middle East. Strategic partnership with the two nations was noted by the historic 10 years and 38 billion dollars of military aid package to Israel that was brokered by the Obama-Biden administration.
Besides helping in the promotion of a two-state resolution to curb the Israeli-Palestinian issue, Biden supported Israel in its constitutional aspect of defending itself in the case of a war, such as the war that occurred in Gaza in 2014. His approach focused on integrating both diplomatic efforts to facilitate peace with powerful security guarantees.
Biden’s administration: Unprecedented crisis support
Hamas killed hundreds of people and captured hundreds more in a deadly surprise attack against Israel on October 7, 2023. It was a historic visit. Biden’s appointment to an Israeli war cabinet as the first sitting US president signified a previously unheard-of level of political and strategic synergy. He pledged to provide military support as soon as possible and underlined Israel’s right to “fight fire with fire.”
The Biden administration gave Israel the largest military aid package in U.S. history, totaling over $17.9 billion between October 2023 and October 2024. Diplomatic support and public statements
Biden started emphasizing Israel as a vital component of American security in his public remarks. Following Reagan’s election, Biden would frequently find himself on the right of the well-known pro-Israel Republican. He would fight his 1981 arms sale to Saudi Arabia after Israel formally opposed it, which was a top AIPAC priority, and he would push legislation that Reagan opposed that would increase U.S. aid to Israel while reducing its debt. His defense of the violent war in Lebanon by hard-line Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, which infuriated the American people to such an extent that Reagan took action to put an end to it, is another significant example.
Biden flew to a retreat hosted by the United Jewish Appeal’s Young Leadership Cabinet less than a week after the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre in Lebanon. There, he chatted with Benjamin Netanyahu, the executive director of AIPAC and a representative of the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC. One year later, Biden insisted that the presence of Israel in Lebanon was vital, yet Israel was requested by other pro-Israel officials to vacate the country.
Since he emphasizes that there is an indelible relationship between the United States and Israel due to certain common values, Biden has reiterated the right of Israel to protect itself. Even though over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, he has been able to give diplomatic authentication to military operations in the country, both during privately held discussions and in press conferences.
Humanitarian concerns and criticism
Although Biden’s administration has been under pressure to tie military assistance to Israel’s adherence to international law, no such requirements have been put in place
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