Florida Governor Ron DeSantis addressed a conference in Jerusalem on Thursday , emphasizing his support for the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and criticizing Biden administration Middle East policies.
Speaking at a conference organized by the Jerusalem Post, DeSantis who is believed to be preparing for a run in 2024 to be the Republican nominee, said that Florida had supported Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Israel even before former President Donald Trump, who announced his candidacy for 2024, recognized it as such in 2017.
"With Israeli sovereignty over the city of Jerusalem, people have the ability to visit those sites freely. That would not be true if it were in other hands," noted DeSantis. He also said that the US must make every possible effort to keep its embassy in Jerusalem.
The governor criticized the Biden administration over the 2020 Abraham Accords’ follow-up, arguing that Washington was unhelpful on enlarging the circle of peace to more countries in the region. “This administration has worked overtime to alienate the Saudis. I think that with proper policy and with proper relations you could see Saudi Arabia recognize the existence of Israel,” he said.
