The Israeli opposition and Jewish organizations around the world congratulated US President Elect Joe Biden on his election victory Saturday night after major US news networks called the race for the Democratic victor.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Alternate Prime Minister and Blue and White leader MK Benny Gantz, Yamina chairman MK Naftali Bennett, and other right-wing political leaders failed, however, to respond to Biden’s victory by press time.
“Congratulations to my friend President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, tweeted opposition leader and Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid.
“The relationship between our countries is based on deeply held values and critical shared interests which I know will be at the heart of your administration. I look forward to working with the new administration and members of both parties in Congress to deepen and strengthen the special relationship between Israel and the United States.”
One senior member of the government who did congratulate Biden was Justice Minister and senior Blue and White Party member Avi Nissenkorn.
“Congratulations too to the entire American people for this fitting democratic process,” said Nissenkorn. “I am sure that the close and strong relationship between the US and Israel will be preserved and strengthened under a Biden administration.”
Despite the conspicuous lack of response from Netanyahu, one Likud MK who did congratulate Biden on his win was former Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat, who said he believed that “under his leadership the brave and positive relationship between our two countries will continue.”Another response from the government was from Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel, who took to Twitter to extend his congratulations to Biden."I am convinced you will continue to be a true friend and partner to the state of Israel," Hendel said, though adding his thanks to Trump "for the wonderful friendship offered during his term in the White House, where he promoted peace and local stability [in the Middle East] through strength and balance."
Chairman of the Joint List of Arab Parties MK Ayman Odeh welcomed Biden’s victory, saying “Trump’s loss is an important step in the struggle against populism that has taken control in Hungary, Brazil, India and Israel,” but said that “the struggle for progressivism around the world will continue tomorrow.”
Meretz chairman MK Nitzan Horowitz also welcomed Biden’s victory, and said that “after four years of bad spirit, lies, and thuggery the time has come for honest and fair leadership in Washington,” adding that “Israel too needs to depose he who incites and destroys it from within.”
Yisrael Beytenu leader MK Avigdor Liberman congratulated Biden on his victory, but also thanked Trump for “his important contribution” to the State of Israel.
“I am certain that the strategic relationship between Israel and the US, our great friend, will continue to strengthen.”
The Black flags movement that leads protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated presumptive President Elect Joe Biden saying "the American people chose truth, justice and the person who chose to connect in places where there was incitement and a culture of lies.
"It is the job of citizens to get rid of those who are acting against them and that is what we are trying to do as well. A wave of truth will wash over the world and with it Israel will also get new leadership that acts for the citizens and not against them."