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Vance defends Israel ties amid skepticism, says alliance is in America’s 'best interest'

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • US Vice President JD Vance defended the US-Israel alliance, calling it one of America’s most important partnerships and its most important regional alliance.
  • Vance acknowledged growing skepticism among Americans under 40 and said the relationship’s value to US national security must be explained to them.
  • He cited joint work on classified technology for North American missile defense, while Republican Jewish Coalition officials highlighted strong support from college students at the event.

JD Vance gave a firm defense of the US-Israel alliance in Las Vegas, even as he acknowledged that younger Americans are increasingly questioning its value. Speaking at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s National Leadership Summit, the vice president called Israel “one of our most important alliances in the world” and “our most important regional alliance.”

Vance made the remarks during a closed-door conversation with RJC National Chairman Norm Coleman. Their discussion covered President Donald Trump, US-Israel relations, national security and antisemitism. The Jerusalem Post obtained a transcript and also spoke with RJC national spokesman Sam Markstein.

One of our most important alliances in the world and certainly our most important regional alliance.

· JD VanceVance described the importance of Israel to US foreign and national security policy.

Vance said the two countries do not agree on every issue, but insisted they would “continue to work together” because their interests remain aligned across many areas. He said the growing doubts among Americans under 40 made it necessary to explain why the relationship serves US interests.

Going to continue to work together

· JD VanceHe acknowledged disagreements between the two countries while emphasizing their continuing cooperation.

“To take a very obvious example, we’re working with the Israelis on some extremely top-secret technology that is very, very important for the North American Missile Defense Shield,” Vance said. “Because I love my kids; because all of you in this room, we love our kids; we love our grandkids; we want to make sure that if, God forbid, a bad country shoots a missile at the United States of America, we are safe.”

The discussion came as support for Trump among voters aged 18 to 34 stood at an all-time low for that age group, according to the most recent Echelon Insights polling. Markstein nevertheless said the college students attending the summit showed the strongest enthusiasm for Vance.

To take a very obvious example, we’re working with the Israelis on some extremely top-secret technology that is very, very important for the North American Missile Defense Shield. Because I love my kids; because all of you in this room, we love our kids; we love our grandkids; we want to make sure that if, God forbid, a bad country shoots a missile at the United States of America, we are safe.

· JD VanceVance cited joint missile-defense technology as an example of the alliance’s value to the United States.

The RJC spokesman said 300 to 400 college students from across the country attended. He said the students cheered longest and spent the most time standing for Vance, adding that the vice president had an opportunity to bring more young people into the movement. Antisemitism also featured prominently in the conversation, with Coleman raising concerns about young people wearing a Star of David.

We had about 300 or 400 college students from all over the country; young, Jewish American leaders of the future, and they were the loudest. They cheered the longest. They were on their feet for the most amount of time for him.

· Sam MarksteinThe RJC spokesman described student reactions to Vance at the summit.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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