Israel on Sunday joined the international community in congratulating Joe Biden for his victory in the 2020 US presidential elections. Reactions also poured in from Jewish groups and the Arab world.
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In a tweet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris. Joe, we've had a long & warm personal relationship for nearly 40 years, and I know you as a great friend of Israel. I look forward to working with both of you to further strengthen the special alliance between the US and Israel."
In a second tweet, Netanyahu expressed his gratitude and appreciation for President Donald Trump, saying, "Thank you @realDonaldTrump for the friendship you have shown the state of Israel and me personally, for recognizing Jerusalem and the Golan, for standing up to Iran, for the historic peace accords and for bringing the American-Israeli alliance to unprecedented heights."
Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris. Joe, we've had a long & warm personal relationship for nearly 40 years, and I know you as a great friend of Israel. I look forward to working with both of you to further strengthen the special alliance between the U.S. and Israel.
– PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) November 8, 2020
President Reuven Rivlin echoed the sentiment, in a statement saying, "I send the blessings of the Israeli people and of the State of Israel, to our friend Joe Biden on your election as the 46th President of the United States of America. I also send congratulations and best wishes for your success, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
Mr President-elect, as a long-standing friend of Israel, you are now the leader of the free world and of the State of Israel's closest and most important ally.
"The strategic alliance between our two countries and peoples is stronger than any political leadership, and is not based solely on friendship. It is rooted deeply in our shared values and in our long-standing commitment to freedom and democracy as the foundations of our societies."
Thank you @realDonaldTrump for the friendship you have shown the state of Israel and me personally, for recognizing Jerusalem and the Golan, for standing up to Iran, for the historic peace accords and for bringing the American-Israeli alliance to unprecedented heights.
– PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) November 8, 2020
"This is also the time to thank President Trump for four years of partnership in strengthening Israel's security, and to thank the American people for their steadfast support and friendship," Rivlin continued.
"I have no doubt that our special relations and multifaceted cooperation will continue to flourish and grow in the future. On behalf of the Israeli people, I wish you and your future administration great success, and extend my invitation to you to visit Jerusalem as our guest."
Blue and White leader Defense Minister Benny Gantz congratulated Joe Biden on winning the US presidency early Sunday morning, tweeting, "As the election results become final, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to @JoeBiden, a long-time supporter and friend of Israel, and to his running mate, @KamalaHarris, who has made history as the first woman elected VP." Gantz tweeted in English at around 4 a.m. Israel time, just as Biden was delivering his victory speech.
"I look forward to continuing to deepen the steadfast bond and strong defense ties between our peoples, as allies in the effort to strengthen democracy, stability, and peace worldwide," added Gantz, who is alternate prime minister and slated to replace Netanyahu in November 2021, 11 months after Biden is set to take office.
The strategic alliance between our two countries and peoples is stronger than any political leadership, and is not based solely on friendship. It is rooted deeply in our shared values and in our long-standing commitment to freedom and democracy as the foundations of our societies
– Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) November 8, 2020
Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, also from Blue and White, tweeted, "The President-elect's friendship and distinguished record of support for Israel date back nearly half a century. I strongly believe that under his leadership the strategic indispensable alliance between our two countries will continue to flourish and prosper," he wrote. He did not include a message thanking Trump."
World leaders also rushed to congratulate Biden on his victory.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he looks forward to working with Biden, Harris and the incoming administration.
"Our shared geography, common interests, deep personal connections, and strong economic ties make us close friends, partners, and allies," Trudeau said in a statement.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated Harris on her historic win as the first woman to be vice president-elect, and praised the relationship between Germany and the United States, saying, "Our transatlantic friendship is irreplaceable if we are to master the great challenges of our time."
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted, "The Americans have chosen their President. Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris! We have a lot to do to overcome today's challenges. Let's work together!"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Twitter that his country "is optimistic about the future of the strategic partnership" with the United States.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also offered a statement on Biden's election.
"I know Joe Biden as a strong supporter of our Alliance & look forward to working closely with him. A strong #NATO is good for both North America & Europe," Stoltenberg tweeted.
I congratulate @JoeBiden on his election as the next U.S. President & @KamalaHarris as Vice President. I know Joe Biden as a strong supporter of our Alliance & look forward to working closely with him. A strong #NATO is good for both North America & Europe https://t.co/Ij3rWtNH5c
– Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) November 7, 2020
In the Middle East, Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, said that he looked forward to working with a Biden administration "to continue strengthening the friendship between our countries." Trump was seen as siding with Saudi Arabia in 2017 during a rift that pitted other Gulf states against Qatar.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson echoed other European leaders' sentiments as he looked toward the future.
"The US is our important ally and I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security," Johnson said.
Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris pic.twitter.com/xrpE99W4c4
– Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 7, 2020
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Biden's work as vice president had been "critical and invaluable" to strengthening the India-US relationship. Modi also praised the vice president-elect, who has Indian heritage through her mother.
He further called Harris' success "pathbreaking and a matter of immense pride" for Indian-Americans. "I am confident that the vibrant India-US ties will get even stronger with your support and leadership," Modi tweeted.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi was one of the first Arab leaders to congratulate Biden. The Trump administration has removed blocks on military aid to Egypt that were previously imposed due to human rights concerns.
Heartiest congratulations @KamalaHarris! Your success is pathbreaking, and a matter of immense pride not just for your chittis, but also for all Indian-Americans. I am confident that the vibrant India-US ties will get even stronger with your support and leadership.
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 7, 2020
Also on Saturday, Jewish groups welcomed Biden's victory and lauded Harris's historic triumph in becoming the first female vice president in American history.
"In this historic election, Americans have chosen unity over division, decency over hate, and science over fiction," Jewish Democratic Council of America head Halie Soifer said in a statement. "We've chosen to restore the soul of our nation with President-elect Joe Biden, and are incredibly proud that overwhelming support among Jewish Americans ensured his victory in critical swing states."
"This moment is made all the more poignant as Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who has deep ties to the Jewish community, becomes the first woman and woman of color to serve in this role," she continued.
The Democratic Majority for Israel's political action committee said that "it's clear that Americans have rejected the president's divisiveness and bigotry in favor of the sound leadership of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris."
J Street, which endorsed Biden, said that a Biden victory was "a triumph for the American people, for American democracy, and for the overwhelming majority of American Jews who mobilized to vote this bigoted, would-be authoritarian out of office This incredibly hateful and destructive presidency is coming to an end, despite the best efforts of Trump and his allies to suppress the vote and baselessly cast doubt on its legitimacy."
Some Jewish and pro-Israel organizations provided neutral reactions to Biden's projected victory.
"The record-high voter turnout, and hard-fought campaign by both candidates and their respective parties, is an inspiring testament to the strength of American democracy," said American Jewish Committee CEO David Harris in a statement. "The United States is one country with one destiny. That vision, that reality, has been sorely tested as never before, in an era of heightened polarization in American society, and amid the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, its economic consequences, and a decline of trust among some on various sides of the political spectrum in government institutions and practices."
In a statement, the Jewish Federations of North America said, "We pray that he will lead our nation with wisdom and discernment and we pledge our support to building on the foundation of liberty that is the blessing of all Americans. We also congratulate Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on her historic victory. Her rise to the vice presidency is yet another indication of the ability of the United States of America to expand its pool of leadership."
"AIPAC congratulates President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their election victory," said the pro-Israel lobby in a statement. "We also congratulate the elected and re-elected senators and representatives – Democrats and Republicans alike – who will be joining an overwhelmingly pro-Israel Congress."
"Despite the current profound political polarization, there remains a resolute bipartisan commitment to the US-Israel alliance as both presidential tickets took strong pro-Israel positions," continued AIPAC. "Whatever other issues divide us, America stands with Israel."
"The United States and Israel have built a resilient relationship based on common values and interests that transcend the partisan divide. In the coming years, we look forward to working with both the executive and legislative branches to forge new initiatives to further strengthen cooperation between these two sister democracies."
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Some Palestinian leaders also expressed relief at Trump's loss.
"America Detrumped! The world also needs to be able to breathe. Trumpism must be carefully scrutinized & remedied to restore the human, moral & legal equilibrium within and beyond the US," Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi tweeted.
In the West Bank, senior Palestine Liberation Organization official Hanan Ashrawi tweeted "America Detrumped!"
"The world also needs to be able to breathe," she added.
In Gaza, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh called the Trump administration "the most extremist in supporting the occupation at the expense of Palestinian national rights."
JNS.org contributed to this report.
