DeSantis firmly supports Jewish ownership of Israel’s heartland: Judea and Samaria.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis: Strong Support for Israel

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has always been a staunch supporter of the state of Israel. In a recent endorsement, he emphasized the Jewish people’s strong claim to the biblical heartland of Israel, using the terms “Judea” and “Samaria.”

DeSantis deliberately avoided using the terms “West Bank” or “Occupied Territories,” which are often used by opponents of Israel to undermine the deep biblical connection of the Jews to Judea and Samaria.

Jewish Biblical Connections to Judea and Samaria

• Hebron: Burial place of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and where King David was crowned.
• Shiloh: Resting place of the Tabernacle for approximately 370 years.
• Shechem: Burial site of Joseph, the right-hand man of the Egyptian pharaoh.
• Elon Moreh: The place where God promised the Land of Israel to Abraham.
• Valley of Elah: Where David famously fought Goliath.

DeSantis firmly stated, “In terms of Judea and Samaria, I’ve always rejected this idea that it’s ‘occupied territory.’ These are some of the most historic Jewish lands, dating back to biblical times.”

He provided historical context, highlighting that while there was a partition plan with the UN in the 1940s, the Arabs rejected it. Israel, on the other hand, was willing to accept it. The Arabs chose to wage war for many decades, making the territory disputed rather than occupied.

DeSantis proudly mentioned that he was the first major elected official to hold public events in Judea and Samaria in 2019 at Ariel University, aiming to break the stigma surrounding these areas.

He criticized President Biden for not inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House since Netanyahu’s re-election. DeSantis called it disgraceful and emphasized the importance of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.

“I think it’s a mistake, but I think it’s part and parcel of how this administration sees the world. They’re more interested in kowtowing to Iran than standing by our allies,”

DeSantis concluded.

In late April, DeSantis visited Israel and signed Florida House Bill 269, which provides law enforcement agencies with new enforcement mechanisms to combat anti-Semitic incidents and protect religious communities.

Regarding Iran, DeSantis criticized the Obama-Khamenei deal and expressed concerns about Biden’s attempt to revive it. He emphasized the need to apply pressure on Iran, as concessions only enable them to fund terrorism and develop weapons.

DeSantis also voiced his disagreement with Biden’s view on the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, stating that Jerusalem is the indivisible, undivided capital of the Jewish people.

DeSantis has a personal connection to the Jewish state. During a visit to the Sea of Galilee with his wife, Casey, they collected water for the baptism of their future children. When the bottle was mistakenly disposed of, someone from Israel sent them more water from the Sea of Galilee, which DeSantis keeps on his desk.