Staff Reports
The national Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) leadership summit is in full swing, and this year it couldn’t come at a more crucial time. With the Israel-Hamas war raging on, the importance of the RJC has intensified. According to conference organizers, there may also be a shift in support among American Jews, who traditionally vote for Democrats, towards the Republican Party, which has shown stronger support for Israel.
Former President Donald Trump and seven other Republican presidential hopefuls are set to speak at the summit, which is being held at the luxurious Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. With over 1,000 attendees and more than 50 media outlets, including international press and Israeli TV, the event is shaping up to be a grand spectacle.
The RJC is determined to showcase their unwavering support for Israel and draw a stark contrast with the Democratic Party, which some claim has been wavering in their backing of the Jewish state. Sam Markstein, spokesman for the RJC, remarked that it used to be an automatic applause line to support Israel at a Republican or Democratic event, but today, that might not hold true for the Democratic Party.
The Israel-Hamas war has shaken the world, with Hamas committing unspeakable acts of violence against innocent civilians. The RJC believes that this war is not only crucial for Israel’s security and existence but also vital to Western civilization as a whole. Eric Levine, a New York attorney who serves on the RJC board, emphasized that Israel is fighting America’s war and that the assault on Israel is, in essence, an assault on Western civilization.
While historically Jewish voters have primarily supported Democratic candidates, there seems to be a trend towards conservatism among American Jews. President Trump’s pro-Israel actions, such as relocating the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and brokering the Abraham Accords, have garnered significant support from American Jews. In fact, President Trump received 6 percent more Jewish votes in 2020 compared to 2016, and his 2020 total was nearly triple the percentage of Jews who voted for Republican George W. Bush in 1992.
The RJC sees this trend as a positive sign for the Republican Party and hopes to capitalize on it in the coming years. With President Trump and other prominent Republicans taking the stage at the summit, they aim to solidify their support among American Jews and showcase their unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.
In addition to the presidential hopefuls, the summit will feature other prominent Republican figures such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and Sen. Lindsey Graham. The event promises to be a dynamic gathering of conservative voices, all eager to demonstrate their alignment with the Jewish state.
