Vance to address Republican Jewish Coalition gathering Monday in Las Vegas

Key developments ahead of the RJC gathering

• Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to deliver a closed-door address Monday at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual gathering in Las Vegas.
• The Associated Press reported the speech offers Vance an opportunity to assuage concerns among conservative Jewish activists about his views toward Israel and his association with Tucker Carlson.
• According to the AP, concerns about antisemitism have surged across the political spectrum ahead of the midterm elections, while Republicans are managing their own internal schisms.
• Vance suggested last month that some Israeli officials have sought to manipulate U.S. public opinion to prolong the war with Iran, and there is lingering concern over his failure to disavow Carlson, who last year hosted Nick Fuentes — described by the AP as an antisemite — for a friendly conversation.

Vance faces scrutiny over Israel remarks and Carlson ties

The AP characterized the political setting for Vance’s Las Vegas appearance as “an extraordinarily sensitive time for Jewish Americans and the U.S. relationship with Israel.” Concerns about antisemitism have surged across the political spectrum ahead of the midterm elections, the AP reported, with Republicans eager to portray Democrats as hostile toward Jews and Israel while managing their own internal divisions over the party’s stance.

Vance faces two specific lines of scrutiny entering the gathering. Last month, he suggested that some Israeli officials sought to manipulate U.S. public opinion to prolong the war with Iran, the AP reported. Separately, there is lingering concern over his failure to disavow Carlson, a conservative commentator who last year hosted Nick Fuentes — described by the AP as an antisemite — for what the AP characterized as a friendly conversation.

The Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual gathering on Monday will give Vance a closed-door platform to address those concerns directly. The session, the AP reported, will be closed to the news media.