JD Vance seeks to reassure Jewish Republicans after questioning Israeli tactics

JD Vance seeks to reassure Jewish Republicans after questioning Israeli tactics Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 09/01/2026 - 17:50 The Republican Party is grappling with increasing criticism of the previously untouchable US-Israel relationship US Vice President JD Vance speaks at a Maga Inc super Pac rally in Sterling Heights, Michigan on 31 August 2026 (Supplied by pool to Getty Images via AFP) Off US Vice President JD Vance has sought to reassure members of the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) that the Trump administration still has Israel top of mind, as he gave a closed-door speech at the group's Las Vegas convention on Monday. Politico, which obtained audio of the remarks, said Vance was met with “raucous applause” from what was a sceptical crowd, given the vice president's willingness to question the pro-Israeli lobby's influence on US politics, and to remain close to figures such as former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson, who has become a leading critic of Israel among Republicans. The RJC, which is staunchly pro-Israel, finds itself in an uphill battle as criticism of Israel skyrockets among young Republicans in particular. In addition to Israel's conduct in Gaza, which has been classified as a genocide by the United Nations and leading holocaust scholars, many young conservatives are asking why billions of dollars in US foreign aid are given to a nuclear-armed state every year. “There is a growing suspicion among, I would call it, under-40s, of the US-Israel relationship,” Vance said in the audio obtained by Politico. “I think my view is, what we have to do is articulate why this is in the best interest of the United States of America, and actually get out there and talk about the ways in which it is in the best interest of the United States of America.” Addressing the backlash to his appearance on the provocative Joe Rogan podcast last month, Vance indicated he was trying to reach as many influential people as possible. JD Vance says Epstein had connections to CIA and Mossad Read More » “I think the best approach is to actually go in there and talk to him and make the argument as best as you can.” The vice president also condemned antisemitism and “blood libel”, saying it is anti-Christian to hold such beliefs. Israeli officials often label strong criticism, such as accusations of genocide in Gaza, as “blood libel”. During that podcast, Vance told Rogan that “there are some people within [the Israeli] system, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt, who are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the [Iran] war going on indefinitely”. But on Monday, the CEO of the RJC, Matt Brooks, told Politico that the Republican Jewish community has “a great ‘bullshit detector,’ to understand when they’re being pandered to... And I don’t believe that anybody will come away from this [convention] thinking that they were pandered to”. 'Your only ally' Vance has been willing to entertain questions that his predecessors and their bosses would not. Middle East Eye's editor-in-chief David Hearst even pondered if Trump will go down as the US's last Zionist president. Vance is, so far, seen as his likely successor. In June, Vance warned Israel that Trump was its only friend left in the world as he batted away criticism of the Iran deal. The vice president had led the US delegation in talks with Iran, both in Islamabad and in Lucerne, and even said that Trump was turning over “a new leaf” in US ties with the Iranian people. Vance tells Israel Trump is ‘your only ally’ left as Iran talks postponed Read More » Speaking at a White House press briefing about the reported $300bn reconstruction fund included in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Iran, Vance said Israeli government ministers needed to think twice before attacking the deal. “My message to them would be twofold. ​Number one: Donald J Trump is the only head of state in the entire world ‌who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this ‌moment in time,” Vance told reporters on Thursday. “If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left ‌in the entire world.” The MoU agreed between the US and Iran provoked outrage in Israel, where it was widely seen as handing an effective victory to Tehran. It has since largely crumbled, and on Tuesday, the US struck multiple sites in Iran as the standoff continues over control of the Strait of Hormuz. US-Israel relations News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0