100 times President Biden Supported Israel

One of the most essential values in Judaism is gratitude. People prefer to think of themselves as independent and not in need of any assistance. Offering our appreciation to someone who helps us is an important trait in recognizing that a person is dependent on others for help. By admitting that others have helped us, we are able to draw closer to God. Recognizing our dependency on others allows us to more easily recognize our greater dependency on God.

In October 2020 I wrote an opinion piece titled, “100 Times President Trump Supported Israel.” In the op-ed I listed 100 policies, statements, or other demonstrations of support, from moving the American embassy to recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, President Trump had offered Israel. Now that the Biden administration’s time in office is drawing to a close, I offer a new list of 100 times President Biden supported Israel.

A caveat to this list that was just as true as the list of President Trump. We live in an unfortunately over-partisan world. There is an unfortunate misconception that in order to thank someone, you must support them. Gratitude should be offered by the Jewish people to any president that helps Israel irrespective of any other factors. This list isn’t meant to be used to demonstrate anything about President Biden, just as the President Trump list wasn’t meant as a demonstration of anything about President Trump. The reader can use the information however they choose. My intention is to offer gratitude.

1. Immediately following the Oct. 7th attacks President Biden issued remarks in support of Israel, telling Israelis they are not alone
2. President Biden pledged to bring home the hostages
3. President Biden pledged to the Israeli people that we are going to make sure we have — you have what you need to protect your people, to defend your nation
4. President Biden pledged that America is going to keep Iron Dome fully supplied
5. In the aftermath of the attacks President Biden moved U.S. military assets to the region, including positioning the USS Ford carrier strike group in the Eastern Mediterranean, with the USS Eisenhower on the way, to deter — to defer further aggression against Israel and to prevent this conflict from spreading
6. Became the first U.S. president to visit Israel in time of war.
7. After Israel was accused of hitting a hospital in Gaza President Biden backed up Israel and said, “it appears the result of an errant rocket fired by a terrorist group in Gaza.”
8. While urging Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza he promised, “If Hamas diverts or steals the assistance, they will have demonstrated once again that they have no concern for the welfare of the Palestinian people, and it will end.”
9. He insisted that the global community demand that the International Red Cross be able to visit hostages
10. President Biden encouraged the Israeli people after the October 7th attack by saying “The United States isn’t going anywhere either. We’re going to stand with you. We’ll walk beside you in those dark days, and we’ll walk beside you in the good days to come.”
11. On October 9th US secretary of defense Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of United States Navy’s Carrier Strike Group 12, led by the USS Gerald R. Ford
12. In response to Israel’s request for more Iron Dome receptors, President Biden sent them within days
13. America sent guided missile launchers and F-35 fighter jets
14. US special operations forces cooperated with the Israeli military in planning and intelligence
15. On October 12, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated America’s commitment to Israel’s security during a news conference with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu
16. On October 17, five shipments of American weapons and equipment had arrived in Israel.
17. On October 18, the US vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have condemned the Hamas attack on Israel while calling for a pause in the fighting to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. The US said the resolution did not do enough to underscore Israel’s right to self-defense
18. On October 20, President Biden announced that the additional funds he asked Congress to authorize would come to a total of $14 billion
19. On October 21 the Pentagon declared that two of its most potent missile defense systems—a THAAD battery and extra Patriot batteries—would be deployed to the Middle East
20. By December 2023, The United States had given Israel a range of munitions, including so-called “bunker buster” bombs, for its war in Gaza. The report stated that US arms shipments to Israel since the start of the war included 15,000 bombs and 57,000 155mm artillery shells, mostly carried on C-17 military cargo planes. U.S. has also sent more than 5,000 unguided Mk82 bombs, more than 5,400 Mk84 bombs, about 1,000 small diameter GBU-39 bombs, and almost 3,000 JDAMs
21. On December 8, the US vetoed another UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. The US called it “unbalanced” because it did not condemn the Hamas attack nor acknowledge Israel’s right to self-defense
22. President Biden used emergency authority to skip congressional review to sell ~14,000 tank shells worth $106.5 million for immediate delivery to Israel
23. On December 29, the United States government again used emergency authority to sell Israel artillery shells and related weapons worth $147.5 million in order to replenish Israeli weapons stockpiles
24. January 4, John Kirby stated the United States had “not seen anything” that Israel had done that would make the US change its approach. On January 18, US Department of State spokesman Matthew Miller stated, “Our support for Israel remains ironclad.”
25. In early 2024 the CIA established a new taskforce to provide intelligence to Israel regarding Hamas leaders
26. On 20 February, the US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution seeking an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire”. The US envoy, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said that the resolution would undermine ongoing hostage negotiations: “Demanding an immediate unconditional ceasefire, without an agreement requiring Hamas to release the hostages, will not bring about durable peace”.
27. In March 2023 Algeria proposed a motion to the UN Security Council to release a statement condemning the massacre and blaming Israel, which was blocked by the United States.
28. Also in March 2023 U.S. officials told Congress they had approved more than 100 arms sales to Israel since 7 October
29. American Ambassador Jack Lew endorsed Israel’s claim that it was abiding by international law during its war on Gaza
30. American congressional leaders and the White House had reached a deal to bar funding for UNRWA, the organization principally responsible for delivering food and providing education in Gaza, until March 2025
31. President Biden signed a bill that included a long-standing provision that limits aid to the Palestinian Authority if “the Palestinians initiate an International Criminal Court (ICC) judicially authorized investigation, or actively supports such an investigation, that subjects Israeli nationals to an investigation for alleged crimes against Palestinians.”
32. America put forth a draft in the United Nations Security Council that a ceasefire must be tied to a hostage release.
33. Even though a group of 17 Democratic senators urged the Biden administration to reject Israel’s report stating that it was complying with international human rights law in Gaza, the U.S. Department of State accepted Israel’s statements regarding its compliance
34. On 30 March, the White House authorized $2.5 billion in weapons transfers to Israel
35. On 9 April, U.S. defense secretary Lloyd Austin told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Pentagon had no evidence that Israel was carrying out a genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip
36. President Biden signed a $95 billion security package, which included around $26 billion in military aid for Israel and $1 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza
37. In May 2024, among reports the President Biden would withhold military aid to Israel, President Biden notified Congress about a $1 billion arms sale to Israel
38. Although it was being accused of war crimes, America stated that the U.S. found Israel’s assurances it was following international law to be “credible”.
39. President Biden said that the request of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant against the leaders of Israel is cruel and the U.S. will always stand by Israel
40. Israel’s successful Nuseirat rescue operation was aided by intelligence support from the United States
41. President Biden said the Letter of Offer and Acceptance, allowing Israel to purchase 25 additional Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter jets for $3 billion, should be signed
42. Rep. Gregory Meeks and Sen. Ben Cardin signed off to an arms sale to Israel totaling $18 billion, after pressure from the Biden administration
43. The State department criticized the ICJ ruling on the Israeli occupation, claiming that it would make future negotiations for a Palestinian state more difficult.
44. U.S. ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, announced he would skip the atomic bombing peace memorial in Nagasaki because of the city’s decision not to invite Israel to the ceremony, along with Russia and Belarus
45. On 9 August 2024, the Department of State said the United States would send Israel an additional $3.5 billion to spend on US-made weapons and military equipment
46. On 13 August 2024, the Department of State announced that the U.S. had approved a $20 billion weapons package sale to Israel, which included fighter jets and advanced air-to-air missiles
47. The Biden administration bypassed Congress on multiple occasions to authorize arms sales to the Israeli military
48. President Biden has sent laser-guided missiles, 155mm shells, new army vehicles, among others, at Israel’s request
49. President Biden has spent $17.9 billion on military aid to Israel from October 2023 to October 2024
50. The United States has provided naval and aerial support to Israel on multiple occasions since October 2023. In April 2024, U.S. fighter jets, along with the U.K., France, and Jordan, shot down Iranian drones and missiles directed at Israel
51. In August 2024, the United States deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, equipped with stealth F-35C Lightning II combat jets, and the ballistic missile submarine USS Georgia, to Israel
52. In October 2024, the United States deployed the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, along with 100 U.S. troops to Israel
53. U.S. aircraft were responsible for 33 percent of reconnaissance flights, providing Israel with intelligence on ground movements in the Gaza Strip
54. In November 2024, the United States ordered ballistic missile defense destroyers, a fighter squadron, tanker aircraft, and Air Force B-52 long-range strike bombers to “make clear” to Iran that the U.S. would “take every measure necessary to defend” its interests in the region
55. President Biden announced the release of the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism in a videotaped address at the White House on May 25, 2023. The plan consists of four core pillars: Increasing awareness and understanding of antisemitism and broadening appreciation of Jewish American heritage
56. The Department of Education (ED) launched an Antisemitism Awareness Campaign to ensure all students are able to attend schools free of discrimination
57. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency at DHS expanded security capacity-building services to historically targeted communities, including Jewish communities
58. President Biden visited Israel in July 2022 in a show of the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship
59. First American president to call himself a Zionist
60. Explained to Americans that you don’t have to be a Jew to be a Zionist
61. Convinced the leadership of Saudi Arabia to open Saudi airspace to all civilian carriers without discrimination, a decision that includes flights to and from Israel
62. Graciously accepted the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor Reception
63. Participated in the first I2U2 Leaders’ Summit with Israel, India, and the UAE
64. Issued The Jerusalem U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Joint Declaration
65. Deepened and broadened the historic Abraham Accords
66. Kept a 100% Pro-Israel voting record at the United Nations, the first American president to do so
67. Helped plan the first historic Negev Summit
68. Work with Israel to combat all efforts to boycott or de-legitimize Israel
69. Launched a new U.S.-Israel Strategic High-Level Dialogue on Technology to form a U.S.-Israel technological partnership in critical and emerging technologies
70. Enabled Israeli passport holders to be included in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program
71. Publicly held America responsible for not bombing the tracks that led to Auschwitz
72. Hosted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to discuss a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual concern in September 2023
73. Hosted President Isaac Herzog in Washington, D.C. in October 2022
74. Hosted President Isaac Herzog in Washington, D.C. in July 2023
75. Hosted President Isaac Herzog in Washington, D.C. in November 2024
76. In April 2023 issued a special congratulatory note to Israel on its Independence Day
77. Organized a meeting between the U.S., Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, and Jordan that emphasized peace and the need to reduce regional tensions
78. Convened a meeting of the U.S.-Israel Strategic Consultative Group with several key foreign policy and defense leaders from Israel
79. Called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the terror attack in Jerusalem which claimed seven Israeli lives
80. Released a statement condemning the July 2023 terror attack in Jerusalem and offering U.S. support. He reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to combating anti-Jewish bias and preventing violence around the world and emphasized that the Biden administration stands with the people of Israel
81. In January 2023 he sent National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan with Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk. During this visit, they met with key members of the Israeli government to discuss the deep-rooted partnership between the U.S. and Israel and how they can collaborate on key national security issues
82. Organized a meeting with National Security Advisors from Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates to discuss how they can partner on the normalization of relations in the Middle East
83. In December 2022 he congratulated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the Knesset’s ratification of his new government
84. Sent National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to meet with Lieutenant General Aviv Kohavi, Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces to discuss shared security concerns
85. In October 2022, he celebrated the conclusion of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon regarding their maritime border
86. Sent U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to meet with Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin Gantz to discuss the U.S. and Israel’s shared defense priorities and reiterate the U.S.’s support for Israeli national security
87. President Biden was the first U.S. President to be able to fly directly from Israel to Saudi Arabia
88. President Biden became the first U.S. President to attend the Maccabiah Games
89. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Israeli National Security Advisor Dr. Eyal Hulata held a meeting of the U.S.-Israel Strategic Consultative Group to express their shared commitment to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons
90. Held a call with former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett where he affirmed his unwavering support for Israel and its defense needs, and welcomed the historic $1 billion allocation to replenish Israel’s Iron Dome system
91. President Biden called former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to express his condolences over the deaths of 11 Israeli citizens following a slew of terrorist attacks in Israel
92. Signed into law $1 billion in supplemental emergency funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system
93. While addressing the United Nations, President Biden reaffirmed his commitment to Israel’s security and not allowing Iran to obtain nuclear weapons
94. In August 2021 President Biden hosted Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in Washington, D.C.
95. In June 2021 President Biden hosted President Reuven Rivlin of Israel as Rivlin prepared to end his term as President
96. President Biden called Prime Minister Naftali Bennett congratulating him on the formation of a new government
97. President Biden issued a statement on the new Israeli government. In it, the President congratulated Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and the newly formed cabinet on their achievements
98. In May 2021 President Biden sent Secretary of State Blinken to Israel to meet with Israeli and Palestinian leadership in the aftermath of a month of violence
99. In May 2021 President Biden helped broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas
100. In May 2021 President Biden held a series of calls with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on the ongoing security situation in Israel and Gaza
101. In April 2021 President Biden issued a statement on the Mount Meron Tragedy in Israel.