Vice President 
J.D. Vance is set to privately address the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas, as both parties grapple with a growing political divide fueled by conflicts in the Middle East. The Monday appearance at the coalition's annual gathering is an opportunity for him to assuage conservative Jewish activists' concerns about his views toward Israel and his association with Tucker Carlson, PBS NewsHour reported. Vance, who The Hill reported has emerged as one of the GOP's fiercest critics of Israel, is seeking to appeal to Jewish voters.
Why is the appearance sensitive? It comes at an extraordinarily sensitive time for Jewish Americans and the U.S. relationship with Israel, with concerns about antisemitism surging across the political spectrum ahead of the midterm elections, PBS NewsHour reported. Republicans are eager to portray Democrats as hostile toward Jews and Israel while dealing with their own internal schisms. An AP-NORC poll released in July found roughly half of Democrats believe Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians, an accusation Israel and the U.S. government vehemently deny. Younger Republicans are more likely than older ones to say the U.S. is too supportive of Israel.
What has Vance said about Israel? Vance has expressed support for Israel but has been viewed as more equivocal or skeptical toward the longtime ally, PBS NewsHour reported. In June he sharply criticized members of Israel's government for opposing the president's efforts to resolve the war with Iran, saying: "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." In July he told podcaster Joe Rogan that some people within Israel's system were "manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely."
Why is Carlson a factor? Bruce Pearl, the Auburn University men's basketball coach and a prominent pro-Israel conservative, has said Vance would need to reject Carlson to receive his support. Concern also lingers over Vance's failure to disavow Carlson, a conservative commentator who last year hosted antisemite Nick Fuentes for a friendly conversation. At the coalition's summit a year ago, Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts' refusal to distance the think tank from Carlson sparked a days-long condemnation of antisemitism within conservative ranks.
How are coalition members reacting? "There's a sentiment here of some discomfort over the vice president speaking. Some people are disappointed," said Terry Platt, a coalition member from New York. "We're confused about his true sentiments."
Figures referenced: J.D. Vance. — JudgeMarket.
