Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-FL) reaffirmed his commitment to the State of Israel during a campaign engagement this week.
"Israel is our ally. That is not going to change," Donalds said. "Anybody, in my opinion, who is trying to sever the relationship between the Israelis and the United States is acting, quite frankly, in the interest of the Iranian regime. They're acting in the interest of the Chinese regime. They're acting in the interest of the Russian regime."
Rep. Donalds' comments follow some resentment of support for the Jewish State by Republican candidates, including businessman James Fishback, who is running against Donalds in the Republican primary.
Fishback has advocated for the divestment of Florida state funds from Israeli bonds, criticized the Jewish State's treatment of Christians, and called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "war criminal" not welcome in Florida during his campaign.
Israel has been under a heightened threat, particularly after the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas on the country, which left 1,200 people dead. Rep. Donalds has defended Israel's right to self-defense and has opposed removing investments in Israeli bonds, among other pro-Israel measures.
Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner are also competing against Donalds for the nomination.
The Republican primary is Aug. 18, 2026.
President Donald Trump has endorsed Donalds for governor. Trump has long backed Israel during his presidency, including against Hamas and the Islamic Republic of Iran, a main funder of the terrorist proxy, by providing billions in military aid to the country.
Trump was also influential during the 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalized diplomatic, economic, and security relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also been a supporter of the Jewish State by advocating against the Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA), arguing it increased Iran's nuclear threat, and the U.S.'s decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018.
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), both Israeli allies, have also endorsed Donalds for governor.
