Reconciliation with Netanyahu will not turn Vance into a Zionist, former consul warns

Yaki Dayan, the former Israeli consul in Los Angeles, has commented on the recent easing of tensions between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Vice President JD Vance. In an interview with 103FM, Dayan suggested that while this reconciliation might temper Vance's future criticisms of Israel, it would not fundamentally alter his stance.

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It won't make Vance a Zionist, I suppose. There are different degrees of reconciliation.

"It won't make Vance a Zionist, I suppose. There are different degrees of reconciliation," Dayan stated. He speculated that the reduction in hostility could make Vance more circumspect about his public statements regarding Israel, moving away from conspiracy theories and towards a less confrontational approach. However, Dayan emphasized, "you won't turn Vance into someone who thinks that Israel is the most important and best country in the world."

Dayan also linked this development to broader trends within the Republican Party, noting the influence of figures like Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon, whom he feels have become alienated from mainstream support for Israel. He identified other currents within the party, such as those represented by Marco Rubio and evangelical supporters, who remain strong advocates for Israel, albeit for different reasons.

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you won't turn Vance into someone who thinks that Israel is the most important and best country in the world.

Looking at the wider U.S. political landscape, Dayan expressed significant concern over the declining standing of Israel in American public opinion. "Is Israel's standing in the United States today at a very low point in terms of public opinion? The answer is unequivocal, yes. Do we have a big problem in American politics? The answer is also yes," he warned. Dayan attributed this shift partly to domestic Israeli issues and partly to the increasing political polarization in the U.S., which he believes is eroding the broad base of support Israel once enjoyed in the political center.

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Is Israel's standing in the United States today at a very low point in terms of public opinion? The answer is unequivocal, yes. Do we have a big problem in American politics? The answer is also yes.