Don’t fall prey to using Israel for political gain

On May 14, 1948, President Harry Truman recognized the new Jewish State of Israel. Since that historic moment, our two countries have enjoyed a special relationship based on shared values and common goals. Israel has been our closest ally in the region, if not the world.

For many Jewish Americans, like me, a strong and supported Israel is a tier one concern.

More than a decade ago, as the Democratic leader in the Florida Legislature, I had the honor of leading a bipartisan state delegation to Israel under a Republican administration. I was so proud that my colleagues from both parties made it clear to Israel and the world that we were united in our support of Israel.

Unfortunately, much like the movie “Groundhog Day,” every election season these days some politicians seek to degrade that unity by falsely claiming the other side is somehow not really supportive of a Jewish state. Weaponizing Israel as a political issue has just become one of the sorry byproducts of the deterioration of our political discourse.

Which is why I wasn’t surprised when the Republican nominee for governor, Ron DeSantis, decided to accuse the Democratic nominee, Andrew Gillum of somehow being “anti-Israel.”

The allegation is absurd. I know Andrew Gillum very well and for many years. He has been to Israel with the Sister City program (Ramat HaSharon). Gillum has seen first-hand Israel’s innovation and entrepreneurship in science and technology, visited their thriving cultural centers and, most importantly, fully appreciates Israel’s constant security challenges.

On a trip to Israel, those threats were brought home when Gillum’s delegation was rerouted due to incoming Katyusha rockets. Gillum knows firsthand why, and appreciates that Israel’s continued existence must be part of our national and state policy.

It’s true, governors don’t typically have foreign policies, but in many ways Florida and Israel have had the same kind of special relationship that our nations enjoy, and Andrew Gillum has made it crystal clear that his policies are what most any Jewish Floridian would hope for.

Gillum supports and will continue enforcement of our Iranian Divestment Act, which I proudly cosponsored in 2007. He will also continue to enforce Florida’s anti-Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) law passed more recently, and has rejected BDS and any arguments by groups or individuals dedicated to Israel’s destruction.

As governor (and as the chairman of the state’s Board of Administration, which oversees investment of our $160 billion pension fund), I know he will support maximizing our current investment in Israeli Bonds consistent with the guidelines of our fund managers.

And I look forward to participating in another trade mission to Israel — under a Gillum administration — with leaders of both parties again letting the world know that our support of Israel is above petty politics.

There may be issues that cause you to reject Andrew Gillum’s candidacy. He steadfastly believes health care is a right, not a privilege; he is unapologetically pro-choice; and he is intent on increasing our state’s investment in public education. If those are positions you cannot tolerate, then the other guy may be for you.

But don’t fall prey to this wrongheaded strategy of using Israel for political gain. It’s not simply wrong, it’s bad for Israel. Andrew Gillum has always been and will continue to be a friend of Israel.