Israeli president says Biden symbolizes the ‘unbreakable bond between our two peoples’ while Ireland’s Taoiseach calls him a ‘voice of reason’

The world has reacted to US President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election. The Israeli Prime Minister in particular gave the greatest praise.

The 81-year-old resigned tonight after weeks of facing questions about his fitness for the office, following his disastrous performance in the presidential debate, which resulted in a series of blunders from which he was unable to recover.

His historic move comes 24 days after the debate and after a 50-year career in politics that culminated in his entry into the White House.

Biden, a longtime supporter of Israel, was congratulated by the country’s prime minister.

Isaac Herzog said of Biden in a post to X: “I want to express my deepest gratitude to Joe Biden for his friendship and unwavering support of the Israeli people throughout his decades-long career.”

“As the first U.S. president to visit Israel in wartime, a recipient of Israel’s 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 him, Jill Biden and his entire family my warmest wishes from Jerusalem.”

Ireland’s Taoiseach Simon Harris described Biden as a “voice of reason.”

“On behalf of the Irish people and Government, I want to thank you as Taoiseach, Mr President, for your global leadership and your friendship as you make your announcement that you will not stand in the 2024 US presidential election,” he said.

“The world has changed since President Biden’s victory in 2020, and we have faced extraordinary challenges, from a global pandemic to the return of war to the European continent with Russia’s horrific large-scale invasion of Ukraine that deliberately targeted and killed innocent civilians.”

“President Biden was a voice of reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions.”

Across the Irish Sea, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, elected earlier this month, said: “I respect President Biden’s decision and look forward to our cooperation during the remainder of his presidency.”

“I know that President Biden made his decision – as he has throughout his distinguished career – based on what he believes is in the best interests of the American people.”

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In Europe, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: “My friend Joe Biden has achieved a lot: for his country, for Europe, for the world.”

“Thanks to him, transatlantic cooperation is close, NATO is strong and the USA is a good and reliable partner for us. His decision not to run again deserves recognition.”

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk echoed Scholz’s sentiments, saying: “Mr. President, you have often made difficult decisions that have made Poland, America and the world safer and strengthened democracy and freedom.”

“I know that you were guided by the same principles when announcing your recent decision. It was perhaps the most difficult decision of your life.”

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said: “It is undoubtedly the decision of a statesman who has served his country for decades. It is a responsible and personally difficult step, but it is all the more valuable.”

“I keep my fingers crossed for the United States that a good president will emerge from the democratic competition between two strong and equal candidates.”

And Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere added: “I respect Joe Biden’s decision not to run for re-election. This justification deserves respect,” Stoere told national broadcaster NRK.

“Biden has been one of America’s most prominent politicians for several decades and a president who has implemented several important reforms.”

Biden’s international opponents also spoke out.

The Kremlin said it was monitoring developments following US President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 US election race, adding that “a lot could change” in the meantime.

“There are still four months until the election. And that is a long time in which a lot can change. We need to be attentive, follow what will happen and go about our business,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the news portal Life.ru.

Biden announced his explosive decision in a one-page letter pledging to finish his term. Shortly thereafter, he published a tweet endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.

Now, with less than four months to go before Election Day, Democrats must launch their campaign for a new candidate.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve you as President,” Biden wrote in a letter posted on his X account on Sunday.

“And while it was my intention to run for re-election,” he continued, “I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country that I step down and focus solely on performing my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”

The announcement came on the same day that numerous Biden allies stressed on the radio that the president would not resign and would continue his re-election efforts.

Biden said in his letter that he would discuss his decision in more detail in addresses to the country later this week.

Last week, Biden withdrew from the campaign trail after being diagnosed with COVID-19 for the third time during a West Coast tour, leading to even more speculation that he would soon drop out of the race.