Vice President JD Vance is facing growing criticism from some pro-Israel Republican donors and activists over his defense of the Iran ceasefire and his increasingly sharp criticism of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s government, according to a POLITICO report.

Several prominent Republican supporters told POLITICO that Vance’s recent comments have fueled unease within pro-Israel circles ahead of a potential 2028 presidential campaign. One major Jewish GOP donor described “overwhelming unease” among pro-Israel Republicans, while others questioned whether Vance is moving the party away from its traditionally strong support for Israel.

The criticism has been amplified by conservative figures including Mark Levin, former Auburn University basketball coach Bruce Pearl, and Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce founder and CEO Duvi Honig, who have all publicly challenged Vance’s recent positions on Israel and Iran.

Despite the backlash, Vance continues to enjoy the support of several influential Republican donors. Hudson Bay Capital CEO Sander Gerber said his confidence in Vance “has not changed,” while Republican megadonor Y. David Scharf praised the vice president as a “masterful” Republican fundraiser who has repeatedly demonstrated a commitment to Israel’s security. Another major GOP donor told POLITICO, “The guy is pro-Israel. He’s on our side on all these issues.”

In a recent interview, Vance defended his approach, saying criticism of the Israeli government should not automatically be labeled antisemitic. “They’re a good partner in the same way the United Kingdom or France are good partners. That doesn’t mean that we’re always going to have aligned interests,” Vance said. He added that “there’s a danger in conflating criticism of a particular government with Jew hatred.”

The White House rejected suggestions of a rift, with spokeswoman Olivia Wales stating that President Donald Trump and Vice President Vance “are on the same page,” adding that “there has been no greater friend to Israel and a fighter for peace than President Trump.”

The debate comes as Vance is widely viewed as the leading contender to succeed Trump as the Republican presidential nominee in 2028, making his standing among pro-Israel Republicans an issue that could shape the party’s next presidential primary.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)