US Vice President JD Vance addressed concerns about his views on Israel and his associations during a closed-door Republican Jewish Coalition leadership summit Monday night in Las Vegas, telling attendees that Republicans need to make a stronger case for the US-Israel relationship to younger Americans. 

Vance received applause at the Venetian Resort on the Las Vegas Strip despite skepticism among some pro-Israel Republicans about his positions, two anonymous attendees told The Washington Post. 

Addressing what he called the “elephant in the room,” Vance acknowledged declining support for Israel among younger Americans. 

“There is a growing suspicion among, I would call it under 40s, of the US-Israel relationship,” Vance said. “I think my view is what we have to do is articulate why this is in the best interest of the United States of America, and actually get out there and talk about the ways in which it is in the best interest of the United States of America.” 

Vance also described “a much deeper cultural symbiosis and harmony” between the US and countries such as Israel and the United Kingdom than with other allies. 

Some pro-Israel Republicans have questioned Vance over his criticism of Israeli leaders and his friendship with Tucker Carlson, whose rhetoric on Israel has prompted accusations of antisemitism. 

Vance said he would not disavow Carlson, yet identified antisemitism as a boundary. 

“One area where I really do draw the line is on people who engage in what I call this blood guilt attitude,” Vance said. 

He specifically distanced himself from influencer Nick Fuentes, who Vance said “really does hate Jews.” 

Vance’s defenders argue his positions are consistent with those of President Donald Trump, who has praised the memorandum of understanding Vance helped broker with Iran while also expressing frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

Some attendees nevertheless favored Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a potential presidential candidate. 

“There’s no question with the Jewish people whether or not [Secretary of State] Marco Rubio loves us. A lot of questions about JD,” New York City radio host and Trump supporter Sid Rosenberg said. “The bottom line is, if you’re close to Tucker Carlson, the real Jews, they want no part of you.”