Vice President JD Vance made a strategic appearance at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s biannual conference in Las Vegas on Monday, seeking to address concerns within a divided community of Jewish conservatives ahead of the 2024 presidential primaries.

Mr. Vance’s engagement with the coalition comes amid growing skepticism among Jewish Republicans over his diplomatic stance on Iran and his association with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, whose past remarks and guests have sparked controversy. Some members of the coalition questioned whether Mr. Vance’s commitment to Israel and opposition to antisemitism would match that of former President Donald Trump.

Ahead of the event, Mr. Vance’s team reached out to prominent Jewish donors to gauge the anticipated reception, reflecting the delicate political balancing act he faces. The vice president carried the dual challenge of maintaining support from both traditional pro-Israel conservatives and factions wary of his alliances and rhetoric.

During a closed-door question-and-answer session, Mr. Vance defended his relationships with controversial figures, including Mr. Carlson, whom he described as a “friend” despite their disagreements. He emphasized the importance of engaging with diverse voices rather than excluding them, citing examples like Joe Rogan, but made clear he would not associate with figures like white nationalist Nick Fuentes, who has publicly attacked his family and praised Adolf Hitler.

The vice president also called for a new approach in the Republican Party’s messaging on the U.S.-Israel relationship, highlighting parallels between his Catholic faith and Judaism as part of a broader effort to bridge divides within the party. However, some attendees remained cautious. Republican Congressman Randy Fine described the audience as “tough” for Mr. Vance, expressing concerns over the vice president’s recent comments and alliances.

Mr. Vance’s remarks in Las Vegas followed a rally in Michigan where he condemned Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed as “very, very evil” due to El-Sayed’s outspoken criticism of Israel. This rhetoric underscores Mr. Vance’s attempt to position himself as a staunch defender of Israel, even as questions linger about the depth of his support within certain conservative Jewish circles.

Norm Coleman, the Republican Jewish Coalition’s national chairman and former senator, used the platform to denounce Mr. Carlson’s conduct, condemning the promotion of Holocaust denial and the smearing of pro-Israel Jews as incompatible with conservatism and MAGA principles.

While Mr. Vance sought to reassure the coalition of his and the administration’s commitment to combating antisemitism and supporting Israel, critics within and outside the group remained divided. Nick Fuentes, responding to Mr. Vance’s comments, accused the vice president of pandering to the far right while distancing himself from his closest conservative allies.

The vice president’s office declined to comment on the remarks captured by obtained audio and video recordings of the session. With the Republican primary season intensifying, Mr. Vance faces continued scrutiny over his ability to unite Republicans across complex and sensitive political terrain.