JD Vance: Who is Trump's pro-Israel vice president-elect?

JD Vance, a 40-year-old senator from Ohio, is seen by many commentators as a likely successor to Donald Trump and a potential contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2028. On Tuesday, he was elected as the vice president of the United States.

The individual who describes himself as a hillbilly, who later became a Marine and then graduated from an Ivy League law school, is likely most recognized by American voters for his conservative political views rooted in the rustbelt region.

In his 2016 memoir, *Hillbilly Elegy*, Vance explored the economic and social challenges facing the overlooked regions of the United States. He aimed to clarify the reasons behind Trump's appeal to white working-class families, including his own.

Vance later endorsed Trump's "America First" approach to foreign policy. In a January 2023 op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, he expressed his preference for a style of leadership that prioritizes American interests while maintaining a careful approach.

Vance expressed that the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan by the United States, along with the US-led effort to change the government in Libya, as well as various other conflicts, have not benefited the country's long-term goals.

New MEE Newsletter: Jerusalem Update

"Only a handful have ever faced a leader with national importance," Vance stated, continuing with, "That is, until Donald Trump showed up."

Once he was named Trump’s vice-presidential candidate in July, Vance focused on positioning himself as a prominent spokesperson for Trump’s "America First" international agenda.

Despite his generally cautious stance toward international alliances and involvement, he has consistently shown strong support for Israel. This was particularly evident earlier this year when he opposed providing assistance to Ukraine while firmly endorsing Israel's military actions in Gaza.

"I stand with Israel in their efforts against Hamas. I have great respect for the Ukrainians who are resisting Russian aggression, but I feel that it's not beneficial for America to keep financing what appears to be an ongoing conflict in Ukraine," Vance expressed.

It's strange to compare Israel and Ukraine as if they are the same situation. They are fundamentally distinct, and it's important to evaluate each one on its own merits.

Supporter Of Gaza Conflict And Normalization Deals

Vance's political career began to flourish after he formed connections with pro-Israel billionaire Peter Thiel, the venture capitalist who funded his campaign for the Senate.

Thiel is one of the founders of Palantir Technologies, a data analytics company supported by the CIA that has been significantly involved in Israel's conflict with Gaza. Many people describe Palantir as one of the most intimidating tech companies in the U.S., and some have labeled it "the AI arms dealer of the 21st century."

After Vance graduated from Yale Law School, Thiel brought him into the world of Silicon Valley and supported his 2021 Senate campaign with a $15 million investment.

At that time, it was the largest donation ever given to an individual Senate candidate.

Vance being part of Trump's team, along with Trump's friendly relationships with various Silicon Valley leaders like Elon Musk, indicates that the government will focus on a technology-friendly and innovation-driven economic strategy, as Thiel has suggested.

In a speech given at the Quincy Institute in May, just two months before being named as Trump's vice-presidential candidate, Vance spoke about the inconsistency in his limited backing for Ukraine compared to his declared unwavering support for Israel.

"Most people in this country believe that their savior, and I consider myself a Christian, was born, died, and rose again in that small region along the Mediterranean," he stated.

The notion that the United States could have a foreign policy that doesn't pay significant attention to that part of the globe is ridiculous.

"We want the Israelis and Sunni nations to take responsibility for their own area. We also want Europeans to manage their own region, allowing us to concentrate more on East Asia," he noted.

Vance has now supported Israel's extensive military action in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 43,000 Palestinians. He has stated that this approach is essential for reaching a normalization deal between Israel and the Arab Gulf countries.

JD Vance's mentor was one of the founders of a company that assists Israel in creating lists of Palestinians in Gaza who are targeted for elimination.

"Hamas started the conflict and is now using Palestinian civilians to protect themselves. Reflecting on the last 40 years, our main goal should be to weaken Hamas as a military entity," he stated.

"You may not be able to change Hamas's beliefs, but you can take out their leaders and military forces. I think Israel should have the authority to do this."

At the same time, Vance has raised worries about a potential increase in tensions with Iran.

On October 26, Vance expressed that the interests of the United States and Israel may not always align, linking this viewpoint to his disagreement with engaging in a conflict with Iran.

"At times, America's interests may differ," he said on The Tim Dillon Show.

At times, we will share common goals, while at other moments, our interests may differ. However, one of our main priorities is to avoid engaging in a conflict with Iran. Such a war would drain our resources significantly and impose an enormous financial burden on our nation.

Rather than the United States initiating a conflict with Iran, Vance suggested that Washington should allow Israel and the Gulf Arab nations to serve as a counterweight to Iran's influence.

The United States doesn't need to monitor every corner of the globe all the time. Instead, we should help communities take charge of their own areas. This approach would save us a significant amount of money and allow us to concentrate our efforts better.