Vice President JD Vance has pushed back against claims from fellow Republicans that antisemitism is “exploding” within the party. In an interview with NBC News, Vance said he does not see a significant rise in anti-Jewish sentiment among conservatives.
“Judging anybody based on their skin color or immutable characteristics, I think, is fundamentally anti-American and anti-Christian,” Vance said. He acknowledged a few “bad apples” but argued their proportion has remained steady over time. “Do I think that the Republican Party is substantially more antisemitic than it was 10 or 15 years ago? Absolutely not,” he added.
Vance’s comments contrast with those of Senator Ted Cruz, who has denounced what he calls an increase in anti-Jewish and anti-Israel sentiment among conservatives. Cruz has criticised Tucker Carlson for hosting Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes and called out fellow conservatives for failing to denounce Carlson.
Recent months have seen several high-profile incidents involving Republicans and allegations of antisemitism. In October, leaked Telegram chats from leaders of Young Republican groups revealed extensive antisemitic, racist and white supremacist rhetoric, including praise for Adolf Hitler. Days later, Paul Ingrassia, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel, withdrew after texts emerged in which he allegedly admitted to having “a Nazi streak”.
Concerns about rising antisemitism have grown since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. According to the Anti-Defamation League, incidents of antisemitism have “skyrocketed” since 2023. However, progressive Jewish groups like Jewish Voice for Peace have accused the ADL of incorrectly defining antisemitism to include antizionism, which they say makes it harder to identify actual instances of antisemitism.
