Climate is different at upcoming RNC as Israel becomes a political hot potato - analysis
The party's commitment to Israel hasn't wavered, but with the timing colliding with Rosh Hashanah and polls showing economic concerns dominating, with Republicans steering toward domestic themes
The 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee was an Israel lovefest. The party took pains to ensure voters understood it was the natural home for American Jews and Israel supporters in the aftermath of Hamas’ 2023 massacre and growing tensions between the Netanyahu and Biden governments.
The RNC gave prime speaking slots to Matt Brooks of the Republican Jewish Coalition and former Harvard graduate student Shabbos Kestenbaum, who sued the university for failing to tackle antisemitism.
Ronen and Orna Neutra, parents of Israeli-American Omer Neutra, who at that time was thought to be held hostage by Hamas and was later confirmed killed on Oct. 7, received a hero’s welcome, with Doug Bergum and Lee Zeldin, now both Cabinet members, heavily criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of Israel and antisemitism.
Displays of support for Israel were seen throughout the convention hall.
But this week, as the RNC hosts a scaled-down, two-day midterm convention in Dallas, expect a completely different focus.
While the core of the party still supports Israel and combating antisemitism with the same zeal, the politics have changed. Republicans are struggling mightily in poll after poll on the issue of affordability, which is far and away the top issue for voters.
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And in this climate, screaming about support for Israel is linked to support for the war against Iran. And supporting the war against Iran means acknowledging the higher oil and other costs that have come with it.
It’s simply a losing message for Republicans politically, even as the party at-large still feels it’s the right thing morally.
A look at the program for Dallas reveals almost an exclusive focus on domestic issues. A select few may affect American Jewry, like ties between faith and government and school choice. But the timing of the convention itself, finishing less than 24 hours before the start of Rosh Hashanah, has already made it difficult for some Orthodox Jews to attend.
Of course, President Trump could always work a mention of Israel, Iran, or pretty much anything, into one or both of the speaking slots he’ll have.
Other speakers, like Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent – who is handling economic measures against Iran – along with pro-Israel Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Mike Lawler, whose swing district is heavily Jewish, could bring related topics to the dais.
But while the love felt in Milwaukee hasn’t gone out, the climate is simply different. And with Israel being such a political hot potato, perhaps it might even be helpful if, for once, it were put to the side and allowed to cool down, even if for a couple of days.