Burgum’s Strong Support for Israel Attracts Jewish Donors

North Dakota Republican Governor Doug Burgum, rumored to be on former President Donald Trump’s shortlist for a potential running mate, has garnered substantial support from prominent Jewish donors due to his unwavering support for Israel.

Burgum, a former Microsoft executive, delivered a pointed critique of the Biden administration's handling of Iran and its implications for Israeli security, particularly in the wake of the brutal Hamas massacre on October 7, which claimed over 1,200 lives. “We shouldn’t be surprised that Iran would greenlight a massacre after getting billions of dollars from the Biden administration. Biden has turned maximum pressure into maximum concessions,” Burgum stated. He further condemned Biden’s attempts to reenter the Iran nuclear deal, which he believes paves the way for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.

Key Points:

• Support for Israel: Burgum has publicly criticized Biden’s policies towards Iran and expressed strong support for Israel's actions against Hamas and Hezbollah.

• Legislative Action: In April 2023, Burgum signed a law barring state contracts with entities boycotting Israel and preventing state investments in such companies.

• Strategic Perspective: Burgum asserts that Iran’s aggression towards Israel equates to a direct threat to America.

Addressing far-left criticisms and moral equivalencies drawn between Israel and terrorist organizations, Burgum was unequivocal. “To the university officials, the talking heads, and the far-left politicians on television that try to draw some kind of moral equivalency between Israel and Hamas, your words are abhorrent,” he declared. He also emphasized that Hamas leaders should be considered legitimate military targets and condemned countries like Qatar for supporting terrorists.

In a speech to the Hudson Institute, Burgum framed “Iran’s war on Israel” as a broader conflict against America. His administration has taken concrete steps to align with this stance, such as signing legislation in April 2023 that bars state contracts with entities participating in a boycott of Israel and prevents state investments in companies engaging in such actions.

Fred Zeidman, a prominent GOP donor, expressed his support for Burgum, highlighting his consistent stance on Israel. “The thing that always stands out to me is his support of Israel — not only what he had to say about it in his speech, but also back in private conversation,” Zeidman told Jewish Insider. “He understands it, and for that reason I don’t question his support under any circumstance.”

As the 2024 presidential race heats up, Burgum’s steadfast support for Israel and his strong policy positions have not only won him significant donor support but also positioned him as a key figure in the GOP’s strategic discussions.

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