Republican Jewish Coalition’s Annual Gathering Highlights GOP Candidates’ Support for Israel Amidst Crisis
In Las Vegas this weekend, GOP presidential candidates will vie for donors and showcase their staunch support for Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas. The annual gathering of the Republican Jewish Coalition serves as a crucial platform for Republican candidates to court Jewish voters and portray themselves as unwavering allies of Israel, which holds significant importance for constituents such as Christian evangelicals.
This year’s summit coincides with the recent attack by Hamas on Gaza, plunging Israel into crisis. The conflict has not only posed a threat to regional stability but has also stirred tensions surrounding the war within the United States, particularly on college campuses. In response to the attack, the Republican National Committee announced that the Republican Jewish Coalition will co-sponsor the third GOP presidential debate scheduled for November 8th in Miami.
With the war becoming a prominent issue on the campaign trail, the candidates’ reception at the Coalition’s gathering will serve as a significant measure of their strength in a contest previously dominated by former President Donald Trump. The Coalition has long embraced Trump, with attendees often sporting red yarmulkes featuring his name, reminiscent of his iconic “Make America Great Again” hats. Trump garnered support from Coalition members who had initially backed other candidates with the help of billionaire casino mogul and GOP megadonor Sheldon Adelson, the Coalition’s former benefactor, who passed away in 2021. While Adelson’s widow, Miriam Adelson, remains a major party donor and benefactor, she has pledged to stay neutral in the upcoming primary, leaving room for other donors to align with a candidate.
Trump has consistently emphasized his unwavering support for Israel, asserting that no president has done more than he has. His fulfillment of the promise to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem stands as a testament to his commitment. However, the reception Trump receives this year remains uncertain due to controversies that arose after the 2020 election. Following the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the Coalition condemned the attack, called for a peaceful transition of power, and congratulated Democrat Joe Biden on his presidential victory. Trump, who continues to dispute the election results, addressed the conference via video last year but was met with lackluster enthusiasm as his legal troubles intensified. Subsequent incidents, such as dining with a Holocaust-denying white nationalist and controversial comments about Israel, drew widespread condemnation. Nevertheless, Trump’s support within the party seems largely unshaken, as evidenced by his significant lead in the primary race.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who have emerged as strong contenders in national polls, have also made their support for Israel a central theme in their campaigns. Haley, leveraging her foreign policy experience from her time in Trump’s administration, and DeSantis, using his position to aid stranded Floridians in Israel and pressuring pro-Palestinian student groups, have emphasized their dedication to Israel’s cause. Other presidential candidates in attendance include South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. Prominent GOP officials like Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Rick Scott, and Senator John Thune will also address the three-day summit.
Notably, this gathering marks the first occasion on which most GOP candidates will visit Nevada, which is expected to be the third state to hold voting in the primary. Nevada typically receives little campaign attention due to its limited political impact. However, the state has seen increased activity this year due to its perceived advantage for Trump and the Nevada GOP’s caucus rules, which benefit the former president. While three candidates, Pence, Haley, and Scott, have chosen to skip the caucus to focus on the state-run primary, where they hope to generate substantial media coverage.
In addition to the Republican Jewish Coalition event, Governor Ron DeSantis is slated to speak at a Nevada Republican group gathering on the Las Vegas Strip, while Trump is expected to address supporters at a country music bar on Saturday afternoon.
