LAS VEGAS — Vice President JD Vance addressed the Republican Jewish Coalition leadership summit here Monday, delivering a speech aimed at shoring up support among pro-Israel Republicans ahead of a potential 2028 presidential bid. The closed-door appearance came with audio obtained by POLITICO.
Vance spoke about what he called "the elephant in the room": Israel's declining favorability among Americans under 40. In a moderated conversation with former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), chair of the RJC board, Vance acknowledged the generational shift in attitudes toward the U.S.-Israel relationship.
"There is a growing suspicion among, I would call it, under-40s of the U.S.-Israel relationship," Vance said. "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."
What the Left Is Saying
Progressives have long called for reevaluating unconditional U.S. support for Israel, pointing to human rights concerns and the cost of foreign aid during domestic policy debates over healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Democratic critics of current Israeli government policies argue that younger Americans' skepticism reflects legitimate concerns about Palestinian human rights rather than antisemitism. They note that polling consistently shows millennials and Gen Z are more likely to support conditions on military aid tied to human rights benchmarks.
Some progressive groups have welcomed Republican acknowledgment of shifting public attitudes, though they remain skeptical that rhetorical shifts will translate into policy changes. The debate within the Democratic Party over Israel policy remains a flashpoint between its establishment and progressive wings.
What the Right Is Saying
Inside the convention hall at the Venetian Resort, Vance's remarks drew applause and multiple standing ovations. Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) told reporters afterward that Vance "hit a home run with the crowd."
Matt Brooks, CEO of the RJC, said the Jewish community has "a great 'bullshit detector' to understand when they're being pandered to" — but he didn't believe attendees would feel pandered to. "I think they will come away from this conversation with a sense that the vice president really gets it and gets us," Brooks said.
Vance directly condemned antisemitic theories like blood libel, calling Jew-hatred "corrosive to the soul." He also urged supporters to back former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), whom he called "the most important Senate candidate this cycle" in his race against Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
Ari Fleischer, an RJC board member and former White House press secretary, offered measured praise: "Today is not primary day. But I think today was progress day for JD Vance."
What the Numbers Show
Polling from the Pew Research Center shows that favorable views of Israel among U.S. adults have declined from 72% in 2001 to 61% in 2023, with steeper drops among younger cohorts. Among Americans under 30, favorability has fallen more sharply, according to multiple surveys.
The generational divide reflects broader shifts: Gallup data shows only 38% of millennials view Israel favorably compared to 69% of those over 65. A 2024 Chicago Council on Global Affairs survey found that 47% of Gen Z respondents believed the U.S. provides too much support to Israel.
Vance enters the relationship with pro-Israel donors from a position of relative weakness. Billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin has already signaled he'd prefer Secretary of State Marco Rubio in 2028 over Vance, though neither has announced a presidential bid and Rubio has stated he will not run if Vance does.
The Bottom Line
Vance's speech marked an explicit effort to bridge divides with a community that could prove essential to his hypothetical White House ambitions. His acknowledgment that Republicans must adapt their message on Israel for younger audiences represents both a political calculation and, perhaps, a genuine shift in tone from past Republican positions.
The applause he received suggests at least temporary success in that effort. But significant skepticism remains among major donors, and Vance's past relationship with Israel-critical commentators like Tucker Carlson continues to draw scrutiny from some corners of the pro-Israel establishment. Whether this appearance marks a durable realignment or a tactical pivot will likely depend on how his actions — not just words — align with the community's priorities in the years ahead.
What to watch: Any follow-up policy positions Vance takes regarding Israel aid, Iran negotiations, or appointments to relevant diplomatic posts could signal whether Monday's outreach reflects genuine conviction or electoral calculation.