Jewish leaders react to Biden’s decision to quit and endorse Harris

“He once again put his country, his party, and our future first.” — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer

Joe Biden during a campaign press conference on August 7, 2019 in Burlington, Iowa. Photo by Tom Brenner/Getty Images

By Lauren Markoe July 21, 2024

President Joe Biden said he was quitting the race for president, and then tweeted a hearty endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for president. The announcement followed a chorus of calls for Biden to be replaced after he appeared frail during a debate against former President Donald Trump last month.

Biden’s decision set in motion a competition for the vice presidential nomination. On many experts’ shortlist are two Jewish governors: Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, a swing state, and J.B. Pritzker of Illinois. Here is how prominent Jews and Jewish groups responded to the news.

On Kamala Harris

The Jewish Democratic Council of America endorsed Harris on Sunday afternoon, saying she has a “strong record of standing with Jewish Americans. Hallie Sofer, the JDCA’s CEO, traveled to Israel with Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, in 2017.

Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Georgia

Pres. Biden’s record and decades of service to the country are extraordinary and historic. Thank you, @POTUS.

Vice President Harris is now absolutely the right candidate to defeat Donald Trump and unite our country. @KamalaHarris is prepared, ready to win, & has my full support.
— Jon Ossoff (@ossoff) July 21, 2024

Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colorado

“Kamala has a vision of hope and a future we can all believe in.”

Other Jewish members of Congress who endorsed Harris on Sunday include: Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado, Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee, Rep. Daniel Goldman of New York, Rep. Greg Landsman of Ohio, Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida, Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Rep. Adam Schiff of California, Rep. Bradley Schneider of Illinois, and Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz of Florida.

On Biden and his legacy

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro

President Biden is a patriot who has served our country honorably in the Senate, as Vice President, and as one of the most consequential presidents in modern history.

President Biden has gotten an incredible amount done to move our country forward, defend our democracy, and…
— Josh Shapiro (@JoshShapiroPA) July 21, 2024

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York

Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he's a truly amazing human being. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first.

Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 21, 2024

Israeli President Isaac Herzog

“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Joe Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades long career,” Herzog wrote on X. As the first U.S. president to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, and as a true ally of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples.”

Jewish Federations of North America

“For decades, President Biden has been a true friend of the Jewish community and a steadfast supporter of Israel, describing himself as a “Zionist in my heart” and becoming the first sitting U.S. president to visit Israel during wartime in the aftermath of the horrific October 7th attacks.

As President, he released the first national strategy to combat antisemitism; held a historic White House Summit on combating hate-fueled violence; upgraded the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism to the Ambassador level; and signed into law the largest increase in funding for Nonprofit Security Grant Programs that protect synagogues and Jewish Community Centers.

He also continues to support Holocaust survivors so they can live the rest of their lives with the security and dignity they deserve. He has left his mark on the Jewish community and for that, Jewish Federations of North America are grateful and wish him luck in the final months of his presidency and in his future

Barbra Streisand

Joe Biden will go down in history as a man who accomplished significant achievements in his 4 year term. We should be grateful for his upholding of our democracy.
— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) July 21, 2024

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett

“President Biden is a true friend of Israel who stood by us in our most difficult moments. During my tenure as Prime Minister, I witnessed his unwavering support of the State of Israel. Thank you for everything.”

The American Jewish Committee

Lifelong friend of Israel and the Jewish people, @POTUS Joe Biden has been – and remains – a consequential President, standing with Israel as it fights back against terror, pursuing regional integration and peace, putting forward an ambitious all-of-government plan to combat…
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) July 21, 2024

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont

Joe Biden has served our country with honor and dignity.

As the first president to ever walk on a picket line with striking workers, he has been the most pro-working class president in modern American history.

Thank you, Mr. President, for all you’ve done.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 21, 2024

Jewish Council for Public Affairs

“President Biden has been, and continues to be, an extraordinary president and public servant. From the historic national strategy to counter antisemitism, to his broader leadership to protect democracy and fight hate, we are enormously grateful to him for this unparalleled legacy.”

Josh Stein, North Carolina Democratic gubernatorial nominee

President Biden has put the American people first throughout his historic career — as senator, vice president, and president.

His vast record of accomplishments include the Violence Against Women Act, historic expansion of health care access, record-breaking job growth across…
— Josh Stein (@JoshStein_) July 21, 2024

Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-New York

Joe Biden, like FDR and LBJ before him, will go down as one of the most consequential Presidents in American history—having led our nation’s recovery through one of its darkest chapters and making record-breaking investments in American families.

Joe’s announcement today…
— Rep. Nadler (@RepJerryNadler) July 21, 2024

Rabbi Jonah Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

We will have more to say following @POTUS's address later. For now, we offer our deep appreciation for his lifetime of public service and how he made our nation and world more secure and just, esp. through his steadfast allyship and friendship toward Israel and the Jewish people. https://t.co/08QNuEhppU
— Rabbi Jonah Pesner (@JonahPesner) July 21, 2024

Nathan Diament, executive director of the Orthodox Union

I appreciate how ⁦@JoeBiden⁩ by & large stood by Israel & the Jewish community as ⁦@POTUS⁩ / His legacy will include him unabashedly self identifying as a Zionist & lover of Israel even in the most difficult times. pic.twitter.com/bOtk2HrT2s
— Nathan Diament (@NDiament) July 21, 2024

Jill Stein, Green Party presidential candidate

Joe Biden has been removed from power by the same anti-democratic forces that rigged the field for him in 2020 & skipped the primary to anoint him in 2024.

Don't be fooled. The same @DNC elites that put him in power will replace him with another tool for Wall Street and the war… https://t.co/g0s0KKjAfD
— Dr. Jill Stein🌻 (@DrJillStein) July 21, 2024

Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich

Having led us out of the worst public health and economic crises in most of our lives, President Biden should be remembered as one of our great leaders.

Now he's passed the torch to Kamala Harris. We must unite behind her to defeat Trump. Our freedom and democracy depend on it. pic.twitter.com/Av0ejxLogj
— Robert Reich (@RBReich) July 21, 2024

Lauren Markoe is news editor of the Forward. A Bronx native, she reported for The Patriot Ledger, several McClatchy newspapers in the South, and Religion News Service, where she was also managing editor. She also produced live radio shows at WAMU in Washington, D.C., where she lives.

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