Joe Biden on Israel

Joe Biden has consistently positioned himself as a strong supporter of Israel, viewing the relationship as fundamentally rooted in shared values and historical commitment that spans his entire public service career, beginning with his first Senate visit in 1973. He championed policies during the Obama-Biden administration aimed at enhancing Israel's security, such as supporting the Iron Dome system and securing a major ten-year security agreement. The president has repeatedly affirmed that the United States will always have Israel's back and stressed his belief that Israel must remain an independent, democratic, Jewish state, stating that this is the ultimate guarantor of security for Jewish people globally.

His approach has also included advocating for a two-state solution as the only viable path to guarantee Israel's long-term security alongside a secure Palestinian State, while simultaneously opposing actions by either side that undermine trust, such as settlement expansion or one-sided moves in international bodies. Historically, his positions have shown evolution, with early Senate career reports suggesting more critical private views that later shifted to staunch public advocacy, seemingly influenced by political considerations and key relationships with pro-Israel advocacy groups. More recently, following the October 7 attacks, he reaffirmed his support and mobilized military and diplomatic aid, while also expressing private frustration with certain Israeli military actions and emphasizing the need to minimize civilian harm.