Vance accuses Israel of manipulating US public opinion to prolong Iran conflict

United States Vice President JD Vance has accused elements within the Israeli government of orchestrating a "foreign influence campaign" to manipulate U.S. public opinion and prolong the conflict with Iran.

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There’s a literal foreign influence campaign being funded to tank the very deal that I was pursuing.

Speaking on a podcast, Vance alleged that this campaign was funded to sabotage negotiations he was involved in, which led to a mid-June Memorandum of Understanding. This MOU allowed for continued talks, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a now-abandoned 60-day ceasefire.

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You have seen this very discreet, extremely well-funded campaign to try to derail the negotiation and try to derail the deal.

Vance defended the MOU, which had concerned Israel, arguing that a negotiating period would eventually lead to a final deal. He also cautioned Israeli leaders against attacking "the only powerful ally" they have left.

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the only powerful ally

However, Vance expressed frustration when "Americans allow, meaning American leadership allows, that influence to affect their judgement and to affect what they are advocating for." He admitted that an Israeli-linked campaign had personally targeted him, stating "People are attacking me viciously" for trying to achieve the president's negotiation objectives. Vance noted that while foreign governments influencing policy is common, it becomes problematic when American leadership is swayed by such efforts.

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What bothers me is actually when Americans allow, meaning American leadership allows, that influence to affect their judgement and to affect what they are advocating for.