Vance: The gap between U.S. and Israeli interests is widening

Washington (Agencies): U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said that President Donald Trump has an “unprecedented” record of opposing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when it comes to advancing the interests of the American people, during a speech delivered online at a technology summit in Los Angeles.

Vance, speaking virtually at the All-In Technology Summit, noted that Trump, more than any U.S. president in the past 40 years, “has shown a genuine willingness to distance himself from Netanyahu when he feels that the interests of the American people diverge from those of the Israeli government.”

Vance’s remarks come amid a series of statements in which he has emphasized the widening gap between Israel and the United States, as the midterm congressional elections in November approach and Netanyahu’s popularity in the U.S. has fallen to a low point after three years of wars in the Middle East. Republican figures are seeking to distance themselves from unpopular policies and associations, amid fears that the party could lose control of Congress in the midterms, which would undermine Trump’s agenda during the final two years of his presidential term.

Vance said, “I find it somewhat ironic… to see Democrats criticize Donald Trump for his relationship with Netanyahu, when in fact Trump is the only president in the past 40 years who was willing to say, ‘Look, Bibi is a good partner, but Bibi and I also have different views on this issue,’ or that ‘Bibi is wrong on this matter,’ or perhaps ‘Bibi is right from Israel’s perspective.’ But the American people need us to go in a different direction.”

However, Vance has often taken a harder line, including accusing Israel of attempting to influence American public opinion regarding the war with Iran. Vance said yesterday, “Israel has been an important partner when it comes to military technology and the exchange of intelligence information, but the United States does not always agree with Israel.”

Serious disagreements have emerged since shared objectives set by the United States and Israel for the war with Iran faltered. Among these disagreements is the U.S. decision to end the war with Iran without a clear plan to prevent it from continuing its path toward acquiring nuclear weapons.

Speaking at the All-In Summit, Vance said, “We cannot allow our foreign policy in the Middle East to be dictated by the state of Israel.”