LAS VEGAS (AP) — Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to speak Monday at the annual gathering of the Republican Jewish Coalition, an opportunity for him to assuage concerns among conservative Jewish activists about his views toward Israel and his association with controversial figures like Tucker Carlson.
The appearance, which was to be closed to the news media, comes at an extraordinarily sensitive time for Jewish Americans and the US relationship with Israel. Concerns about antisemitism have surged across the political spectrum ahead of the midterm elections. Republicans are eager to portray Democrats as hostile toward Jews and Israel, but they’re also dealing with their own internal schisms.
Vance suggested last month that some Israeli officials have sought to manipulate US public opinion in order to prolong the war with Iran. There’s also lingering concern over Vance’s failure to disavow Carlson, a conservative commentator who last year hosted antisemite Nick Fuentes for a friendly conversation.
“There’s a sentiment here of some discomfort over the vice president speaking. Some people are disappointed,” said Terry Platt, a Republican Jewish Coalition member from New York. “We’re confused about his true sentiments.”
