Republican Jewish Coalition summit gains importance during Gaza conflict.

Engaging Paraphrase:

When the Republican Jewish Coalition annual summit takes place in Las ⁣Vegas this‌ weekend, it will be ⁤a battleground for the GOP ‍2024 field. The main focus of discussion will ‌be the‍ ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has not only dominated international news but also shaken up American politics.

The undisputed front-runner, former President Donald Trump, is expected to reaffirm his unwavering support for Israel’s right to ‍self-defense. He will also ‌call ‍for a “strong ideological screening of all immigrants,” a sentiment shared by most of the candidates. However, Trump will face criticism from his rivals regarding his recent controversial remarks about the Iran-backed group Hezbollah, whom he described as “very ⁤smart.”

One of Trump’s opponents, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, has already launched an attack ⁣on him through his super PAC Tell ‌It Like It ‌Is. In⁣ an advertisement, Christie⁣ labeled ⁣Trump a “fool” for his comments about Hezbollah. Additionally,‍ Christie has been vocal in interviews this week, criticizing Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), and ‌Vivek Ramaswamy for their ​alleged isolationist foreign policy stances.

The summit⁢ in Nevada, a ⁣crucial early-voting state, will provide an opportunity ⁤for the candidates to differentiate themselves on the Israel-Hamas conflict. However, given Trump’s dominance within the Republican Party, it is unlikely ⁣that any subtle attacks from his rivals will significantly impact his lead. Nevertheless, this won’t deter them from trying.

Woodrow Johnston, a Republican consultant based in Las Vegas,​ believes that none of the candidates’ comments will dethrone Trump. However, he suggests that former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley may strengthen her campaign through her speech at the summit. Johnston speculates that Haley could potentially become a viable alternative for the “Never Trumpers” who aspire to defeat⁢ Trump.

Johnston also ‍highlights the complexity of the ⁣Ukraine-Russia war and its implications for American ‌funding in Israel’s battle against Hamas. Some GOP candidates ‌may struggle to explain this to their base.⁢ Johnston specifically mentions Vivek Ramaswamy, who has consistently opposed long-term financial aid or military involvement by ⁣the​ United States in Israel. Ramaswamy’s stance has remained ⁢unchanged even ⁢after the outbreak of the war. He emphasizes ⁣the need for U.S. diplomatic cover for Israel but questions the consequences of prolonged ground presence in Gaza and the extent of U.S. involvement.

The Biden administration recently requested a $106 billion ‍foreign aid ⁣bill from Congress, which includes $14.3 billion in assistance to Israel and $61.4 billion to Ukraine. However, the GOP field has‍ expressed dissatisfaction​ with President Joe Biden’s handling of the Middle East crisis.

Nikki Haley has‌ been particularly critical of Biden’s “weak” leadership, citing the ‍U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan ⁢and a $6 billion prisoner exchange deal with Iran as examples. Similarly, Trump ⁣has blamed Biden’s actions for‌ the attack on ⁣Israel during a campaign​ rally in New Hampshire.

DeSantis, a prominent rival for both Trump and Haley, has criticized Biden’s announcement of ⁢$100 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza and the West Bank. He has challenged his competitors to denounce this aid. DeSantis has also highlighted his efforts to rescue nearly 700 Americans who were in Israel during ​a surprise Hamas attack.

Senator Tim Scott has pushed back against ⁢what he perceives as “Jewish genocide” in response‍ to sympathetic Palestinian protests on college campuses. He advocates for the expulsion of students who support terrorism and the‌ deportation of⁤ those on visas. Scott has previously championed legislation to combat antisemitism on college⁢ campuses.

Governor Doug Burgum⁢ has⁤ also condemned antisemitic incidents on​ college campuses and called for action against the BDS movement. He believes that many universities encourage anti-Israel sentiment and that donors⁤ are becoming increasingly aware ​of this ⁣issue. As⁢ president, Burgum pledges to support Israel and combat anti-Israel radicalism.

National Republican strategist Brian Seitchik raises concerns about the division among Democrats regarding Israel. He ​notes the growing presence of an anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian contingent on ‍the Democratic Left.⁤ This tension, particularly within the “Squad” of progressive House lawmakers, has⁣ led to calls for a ceasefire and criticism of Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes.

Seitchik⁢ believes that these tensions could pose a problem for Biden with Muslim voters in Michigan, a crucial swing⁢ state for‌ his reelection bid. He questions how the Hamas attack on Israel and Israel’s response will impact Muslim voters and their turnout in the 2024 election.

Interestingly, Seitchik suggests that Trump’s comments about Hezbollah may have been ‌an attempt to appeal to Muslim voters, particularly in Michigan. He believes that Trump’s strong⁣ support‍ for⁢ Israel over the past 50 years will resonate with ‍Jewish voters, despite potential concerns about his recent remarks.

As the summit continues, candidates like former Vice⁣ President Mike Pence will address⁤ the ‌audience. However, Johnston believes that it ⁣may be too late for any candidate to recover ‌and defeat Trump. He suggests that DeSantis‍ should drop out of ⁣the race and endorse Trump, while others like Scott may be​ vying for Cabinet positions.

In conclusion, foreign policy is expected to be a prominent issue in the upcoming election. Trump’s⁤ foreign policy, compared to Biden’s, is seen as an advantage for him. The summit will provide a platform for candidates to express their views on Israel and the Middle East, but it remains to be seen if anyone can truly challenge Trump’s dominance.

How might‍ the outcomes of the Republican Jewish ​Coalition summit⁤ impact the future of US-Israel relations and the GOP as a whole

Of North‍ Dakota, another candidate⁢ in the GOP field, has been relatively quiet on the Israel-Hamas conflict. ​However, he ​has emphasized the importance‍ of maintaining a⁣ strong relationship with Israel and ‍has expressed support for Israel’s ‍right to defend​ itself against terrorist threats.

As⁢ the Republican Jewish Coalition ⁢summit⁢ approaches, all eyes will be on the candidates’ speeches and ‌positions on​ the Israel-Hamas conflict. While Trump remains the ⁤frontrunner, Haley and other candidates have an opportunity to gain support ⁢and demonstrate their foreign⁢ policy expertise. With ongoing tensions in the region and the impact on American politics, the outcome of ⁤the ⁤summit‌ may⁤ have significant implications for‍ the future of the GOP and US-Israel relations.

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