LAS VEGAS — Vice President JD Vance delivered a closed-door speech at the Republican Jewish Coalition's annual leadership summit Monday night, attempting to ease concerns among pro-Israel donors about his commitment to the U.S.-Israeli relationship and his response to antisemitism within the GOP.
The speech largely satisfied skeptical attendees who had questioned whether Vance, the current front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination, would prioritize the alliance with Israel. Vance declared that 'Jew-hatred is corrosive to the soul' and argued Republicans need to articulate to young Americans why an alliance with Israel serves U.S. interests.
What the Right Is Saying
Jewish Republican supporters praised Vance's speech as a significant step toward building trust with a community that has historically been skeptical of the former Ohio senator. They argue his willingness to address antisemitism directly demonstrates the administration takes the concern seriously.
"He allayed a lot of concern, but he failed to address his relationship with Tucker Carlson, and that left a lot of people wondering why," said Josh Katzen, a real estate developer and member of the RJC board, speaking in his personal capacity. "JD Vance allying himself with an individual who has called for Trump's immediate removal from office will make it harder for many of us Jewish conservatives to consider his candidacy," said Shabbos Kestenbaum, a pro-Israel campus activist who spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Eric Levine, a major GOP donor and RJC board member, argued Vance missed an opportunity. "In my view, on the issue of Jews and Israel, there is no difference between Hasan Piker, Zohran Mamdani, Abdul El-Sayed and the DSA writ large on the one hand and Tucker Carlson, Nick Fuentes, Marjorie Taylor Green and neo-Nazis on the other hand," said Levine. "That is why I wish the vice president had unambiguously separated himself and condemned Tucker by name."
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive critics of Vance point to his broader political record as evidence that his outreach to Jewish Republicans represents strategic positioning rather than a shift in values. Vance's past criticisms of certain Israeli policies and his alignment with populist conservative movements have drawn scrutiny from groups tracking antisemitism in politics.
Human rights organizations have accused Israel of genocide over its conduct in the war in Gaza, allegations Israel's leaders vehemently deny. Critics argue that Republican support for Israel often comes paired with policies on immigration, healthcare, and economic inequality that disproportionately affect minority communities, including some Jewish Americans.
What the Numbers Show
Vance was a regular guest on Tucker's Fox News program before Carlson's departure from the network. Carlson credited himself with helping carry Vance to victory in his 2022 U.S. Senate primary in Ohio, and Carlson later pushed for Trump to select Vance as his 2024 running mate.
Carlson, in a text message to Politico, responded to criticism of his relationship with Jewish Republicans by writing: "An organization that promotes and defends genocide is continuing to insist that they're the real victims? I can't imagine who buys this nonsense anymore." Human rights groups have accused Israel of genocide over its conduct in the war in Gaza.
The RJC represents a coalition of Republican voters and donors united by support for Israel. The organization has navigated internal tensions as some members push for stricter enforcement of conservative values while others emphasize coalition-building.
The Bottom Line
An individual close to Vance, granted anonymity to describe sentiment within the vice president's orbit, said there was no illusion Vance would win over every person in attendance or that everyone would love every answer. "The goal was to lower the temperature, extend an olive branch, and make clear that the vice president is an ally, not an enemy," the person said.
Sam Markstein, spokesperson for the RJC, emphasized that the organization is a coalition with diverse opinions. "There will always be many opinions within the organization," Markstein said.
Conservative radio host Sid Rosenberg offered a mixed assessment on X: "He's still better than any Democrat candidate but I don't think he wowed the STRONG Jews in the room tonight." Vance's office did not respond to requests for comment. The episode illustrates ongoing tensions within the GOP as it seeks to balance its traditional pro-Israel stance with populist conservative voices that have drawn criticism from Jewish Republican leaders.