Vance’s remarks raise Israeli concerns over possible decline in US support

US Vice-President JD Vance’s remarks on Wednesday about the need to reconsider relations with Israel have raised concerns among political and media circles in Tel Aviv, amid warnings that their implications could go beyond disagreements over the war on Iran to affect traditional forms of US support for Israel, including military aid and political backing in international forums.

The comments carry particular significance as they came from one of the most senior officials in President Donald Trump’s administration, following the Republicans’ defeat in the midterm elections.

Vance outlined four steps to win back voters who have turned away from the Republican Party: ending the war against Iran, addressing the rising cost of living and inflation, adopting an “America First” policy, and reconsidering relations with Israel.

He said a pollster he trusted had told him that voters who backed Trump in 2024 were angry with the administration and intended to vote for the Democrats, with some calling for a reassessment of US relations with Israel.

The proposal has raised concern in Israel, particularly as support for the country has for decades been one of the issues enjoying relatively broad consensus within the Republican Party, despite differences between its factions over economic, immigration and foreign policy.