Vice President JD Vance declined on Monday to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming Israeli elections, a departure from President Donald Trump’s recent public support of the embattled leader. Speaking in an interview with journalist Mark Halperin while aboard Air Force Two, Vance emphasized that he focuses his endorsements solely on American candidates and that he does not intend to involve himself in foreign elections.
Vance described Trump’s endorsement of Netanyahu as "the most effective endorsement in American or international political history," indicating deference to the president’s position. The vice president was traveling to campaign for Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley in North Carolina at the time of the interview.
This stance marks a notable shift, as Vance has previously campaigned for foreign leaders, such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during his 2025 reelection bid, which ultimately ended in defeat for Orban’s party. Vance’s refusal to back Netanyahu occurs amid a sensitive political climate in the United States, where concerns about antisemitism have intensified across the political spectrum ahead of the midterm elections.
Republicans have sought to criticize Democrats, including Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, accusing them of being hostile toward Jews and Israel, while managing internal party divisions. Meanwhile, some Jewish Republicans have expressed skepticism regarding Vance’s dedication to Jewish American interests and the U.S.-Israel alliance. Last month, Vance spoke privately to the Republican Jewish Coalition, a prominent GOP group advocating for strong U.S.-Israel ties and combating antisemitism. Although he was received positively, he stopped short of distancing himself from conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, who faced backlash last year for interviewing antisemite Nick Fuentes on his podcast.
Vance’s recent comments on Israel have sparked controversy. In June, he criticized members of Israel’s government for opposing former President Trump’s diplomacy efforts with Iran. The following month, on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Vance asserted that certain Israeli officials tried to manipulate American public opinion to prolong conflict in the region.
The vice president’s decision not to endorse Netanyahu also mirrors a broader trend of shifting U.S. public opinion. Historically, support for Israel has been strong among both Republicans and Democrats, but recent polls show a significant decline in favorable views, adding complexity to Washington’s relations with Jerusalem.