As the world reacts to US President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election, the Israeli prime minister has led the way in praising him.
The 81-year-old resigned tonight after weeks of doubts about his fitness to do the job following a disastrous performance in the presidential debate that led to a series of gaffes from which he could not recover.
His historic move came 24 days after the debate and after a five-decade political career that culminated in a bid for the White House.
Biden, a long-time supporter of Israel, received congratulations from the country’s prime minister.
“I would like to sincerely thank Joe Biden for his friendship and unwavering support for the people of Israel throughout his decades-long career,” Isaac Herzog said of Biden in a post on X.
“As the first U.S. president to visit Israel during wartime, a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, and a true ally of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples.”
“I send my heartfelt congratulations from Jerusalem to him, Jill Biden and his entire family.”
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris described Biden as a “voice of reason.”
“On behalf of the Irish people and government, as Prime Minister I want to thank His Excellency the President for his global leadership and friendship as I announce that I will not be running for President of the United States in 2024,” he said.
“The world has changed since President Biden’s victory in 2020. We have had to face extraordinary challenges, from a global pandemic to the return of war to continental Europe with Russia’s horrific all-out invasion of Ukraine, which has deliberately targeted and killed innocent civilians.”
“President Biden has called for reason, effective multilateralism, and common solutions.”
Across the Irish Sea, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was elected earlier this month, said: “I respect President Biden’s decision and look forward to us working together for the remainder of his term.”
“I know President Biden will make decisions based on what he believes is in the best interest of the American people, as he has done throughout his distinguished career.”
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Meanwhile, in Europe, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, “My friend Joe Biden has achieved a lot for his country, for Europe and for the world.”
“Because of him, transatlantic cooperation is closer, NATO is stronger, and the United States is a good and reliable partner for us. His decision not to run again is commendable.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk echoed Scholz’s sentiments, saying: “Mr. President, you have made difficult decisions time and time again that have made Poland, America and the world safer and our democracy and freedom stronger.”
“I know that same principle guided you when you announced your recent decision, which was probably the most difficult decision of your life.”
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said: “This is undoubtedly the decision of a statesman who has served his country for decades. It is a responsible and personally difficult step, but also a worthwhile one.”
“I pray for America that a good president will emerge from a democratic competition between two strong and equal candidates.”
“I express my deepest admiration and respect for President Joe Biden’s courageous and dignified decision,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said at the X.
“Thanks to our resolve and leadership, the United States has weathered the post-pandemic economic crisis and the serious attack on the Capitol, and has provided exemplary support to Ukraine in the face of President Putin’s Russian aggression.”
“It’s a great gesture from a great president who has always fought for democracy and freedom.”
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Storre also told state broadcaster NRK: “I respect Joe Biden’s decision not to stand for re-election. This decision deserves to be respected.”
“Biden has been one of America’s most prominent politicians for decades and a president who has implemented some significant reforms.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Biden’s neighbour, said, “I’ve known President Biden for years. He’s a great man and everything he does is driven by love for his country.”
“As president, he has been a partner and true friend to the Canadian people. I thank President Biden and the First Lady.”
Biden’s international opponents also weighed in.
The Russian government said it was closely monitoring the situation following U.S. President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 U.S. presidential election, adding that “a lot can change” in the meantime.
“There are still four months until the elections. That’s a long time and a lot can change in that time. We have to be careful, see what happens and get to work,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Life.ru news agency.
Biden announced his shock decision in a one-page letter, pledging to serve out his term and then quickly tweeting his support for Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.
With less than four months until Election Day, Democrats must do everything in their power to field new candidates and strengthen their campaign.
“Serving as your president has been the greatest honor of my life,” Biden wrote in the letter, posted to his X account on Sunday.
“Although I intended to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interests of my party and the nation for me to step down and focus solely on fulfilling the duties of my office for the remainder of my term,” he continued.
The announcement came on the same day that a number of Biden’s allies appeared on television to insist that the president would not resign and would continue his reelection bid.
Biden said in the letter that he would provide more details about his decision in an address to the nation later this week.
Last week, Biden was removed from the campaign trail after testing positive for COVID-19 for a third time while on a campaign trip on the West Coast, further fuelling speculation that he may soon withdraw from the campaign trail.