Gov. DeSantis: There's an opportunity to have a US, Israel, Arab country alliance, vis a vis the nefarious influence of the Iranians. I think with a proper policy and proper relations, you could see Saudi Arabia recognize the existence of Israel.
Thursday 27th April, JERUSALEM - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, today (Thursday), gave a special speech to mark Israel's 75th Independence Day, as part of the Jerusalem Post Conference at the newly established Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem.
Governor DeSantis spoke about the importance of regional cooperation and said, “We saw the failure with the Iranian nuclear deal that was done in 2015. That flooded Iran with money that rejuvenated their economy, and that led to the funding of terrorism all across the Middle East. If you look back at the Trump administration, Iran was on the ropes. Iran was in dire straits because there was an effort to hold them accountable. I do think that they've alienated so many, such a large portion of their population, that this is a regime that is that is looking over its shoulder. I think we should stand strong with people that are fighting for freedom in Iran. And I'd love to see a day in which you have a free and democratic Iran.”
He added, “My view would be that there's an opportunity to have a US, Israel, Arab country alliance, vis a vis the nefarious influence of the Iranians. I think with a proper policy and proper relations, you could see Saudi Arabia recognize the existence of Israel, who would have thought that would have been anything that anyone could have talked about, even 10 years ago?”
He noted, “I also think that moving the embassy helped get us the Abraham Accords. I think when you, when America shows strength and resolve, people in this region, really respect that."
Asked about the issue of Israel’s current debate on judicial reform, Governor DeSantis said, “The United States should not be drawn into Israel’s internal affairs. As an outsider coming in, it seems to me healthy to flesh this stuff out. Israel is a very rambunctious democracy. You guys have a parliamentary system [which] is a little bit different than the United States, and so, so I trust people be able to work it out for themselves.”
Stressing the importance of the relationship between the United States and Israel, the Governor said, “I think that America does really well when we have relationships with countries like Israel that don't get consumed in the political polarization. I think, unfortunately, in the last five or 10 years, Israel has become more politicized, where you have the left going one way and I think the right and the center siding with Israel, and I think that that's unfortunate. I would just say, I think there should be bipartisan support for Israel. I think the administration should be having a good relationship regardless of party. I know that that may not necessarily have been the case in recent years. But my hope is, is that we can get back to that situation.”
President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, said in his opening remarks to the conference: “Friends, as we look at some of the great challenges and opportunities facing Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish People, I am happy to have the opportunity to be here at the Museum of Tolerance. Yours is an institution built on the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s tireless dedication to promoting tolerance, human dignity and inter-faith harmony and to combatting all forms of antisemitism and hate.”
Welcoming participants, founder of the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem, Larry Mizel, said, "In the center of Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Israel and the Jewish people, at the point of confluence between the old and new cities, this magnificent structure has been constructed entirely from donations, with the aim of creating a place in which numerous visitors will experience the story of the Jewish people, its values, tolerance and contribution to humanity in Israel and around the world. It is inspired by the tent of Abraham, the father of the Jewish people, which according to tradition was open on all four sides so that any guest could enter regardless of origin, race, gender, or religion. The Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem is by definition a center where people will learn about this fundamental value of the Jewish people, a modern Tent of Abraham."
The Museum of Tolerance opened for the first time today as part of the “Celebrate the Faces of Israel” conference, in partnership with the Jerusalem Post.
To mark the opening, the museum revealed its various sites for the first time, alongside a rare photography exhibition encompassing key events from Israel's 75 years of independence. There were also special sessions on foreign policy and security, leadership and government, innovation and technology, and economy and society.
The conference was opened by the founder of the Museum of Tolerance, philanthropist Larry Mizel, alongside Israeli President Isaac Herzog, the United States Ambassador to Israel Thomas R. Nides, the former United States Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, Israeli Nobel Prize winners, a delegation of foreign journalists, and an array of Israeli and international public figures who have made a significant contribution to Israeli society.
The Museum of Tolerance is a flagship project situated in the heart of Jerusalem, as a beacon of tolerance, respectful dialogue, and interfaith work between the three monotheistic religions. By establishing the museum in the heart of Israel's capital, the museum leadership seeks to build a bridge between the peoples and countries of the region in the spirit of the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam ('Repairing the World'), and through cultural dialogue and common discourse.
Yoni Reiss, the Director of the Museum of Tolerance noted: “This is a major museum and cultural center that will be a beacon for displays of tolerance and will lead cultural and educational activities, out of a desire to strengthen Jerusalem and provide a world cultural center that is bursting with life. We are currently displaying a rare photography exhibition by the curator Anna Patricia Kahane, which, to mark Israel's 75th anniversary, provides us with a glimpse at its formative moments. This is alongside the work of the special social laboratory, in which participants will experiment in advancing values of tolerance, the spirit of which is already reflected in the museum's exhibits. At the museum, we seek to encourage democratic values and society, to fight against the roots of antisemitism and extremism, and to promote religious stability, global harmony, fairness and a love of Israel.”
Photo credit – Oded Karni
