Joseph Lieberman Dies at 82: ‘Staunch Defender of Israel’
Former Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the first Jewish American to be nominated on a major party’s ticket and a Democrat turned independent known for his willingness to work across party lines, has died at age 82. A statement issued by his family reads:
“Former United States Senator Joseph I. Lieberman died this afternoon, March 27, 2024, in New York City due to complications from a fall. He was 82 years old. His beloved wife, Hadassah, and members of his family were with him as he passed. Senator Lieberman’s love of God, his family, and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest.”
Lieberman, longtime senator from Connecticut (1989-2013), ran as the vice presidential candidate with former Vice President Al Gore in the disputed presidential election of 2000. At the start of that campaign, there was speculation that antisemitism might hurt the ticket because of Lieberman’s public mention of his faith; he often quoted the Bible and gave thanks to God.
Originally a Democrat, he won reelection in 2006 as an independent and in 2008, nearly became the running mate of the late Republican Sen. John McCain in his presidential race. More recently, Lieberman helped lead No Labels, a third-party movement that has said it will offer candidates for this year’s presidential election.
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As expected, condolences have poured in from various dignitaries via social media. In a post on social media platform X, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the late senator “an exemplary public servant, an American patriot and a matchless champion of the Jewish people and the Jewish state”:
Sara and I grieve with Hadassah and the entire Lieberman family on the passing of our beloved Joe Lieberman.
Joe was an exemplary public servant, an American patriot and a matchless champion of the Jewish people and the Jewish state.
In my very first meeting with him…
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 27, 2024
Former Senator and U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback also mentioned Lieberman’s dedication to Israel in his post:
Sad to hear of Joe Lieberman’s passing. He was a great man, always willing to work across the aisle and do what he felt was right. He was a proud American and staunch defender of Israel. Proud to call him a friend. pic.twitter.com/IWNqyzq76N
— Sam Brownback (@SamuelBrownback) March 28, 2024
The George W. Bush Presidential Center released a statement from the former president, who called Lieberman “as fine an American as they come and one of the most decent people I met during my time in Washington.
“As a Democrat, Joe wasn’t afraid to engage with Senators from across the aisle. … As Laura and I pray for Hadassah and the Lieberman family, we also pray that Joe’s example of decency guides our Nation’s leaders now and into the future.”
Lieberman leaves behind his wife, Hadassah, and the four children they shared, along with 13 grandchildren. His funeral is being held today at Congregation Agudath Sholom in his hometown of Stamford, Connecticut.{eoa}
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