Overview
- At a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi, a MAGA-hat student questioned why Israel is called a top U.S. ally and alleged “ethnic cleansing in Gaza,” adding a disparaging claim about Judaism.
- Vice President JD Vance framed policy under the president as America First, saying Washington will work with Israel when interests align but will not be directed by Israel.
- Vance credited a recent Gaza ceasefire and hostage releases to U.S. leverage on Israel, arguing this showed Israel is not controlling the president.
- Another student asked whether Miriam Adelson’s donations create a conflict of interest, and Vance said the president is not influenced by her despite her stated focus on Israel.
- Vance cited protecting Christian access to Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre as a shared interest with Israel and later drew criticism from Jewish conservatives for not explicitly condemning the antisemitic remarks.