US Vice President Vance: American Policy Cannot Be Subordinate to Israel

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated Tuesday night at an "All-In" podcast conference that Washington cannot allow its Middle East foreign policy "to be subordinate to the State of Israel." While Vance acknowledged Israel's importance as a military and intelligence technological partner for the United States, he emphasized that Washington does not see eye-to-eye with the Israeli government on all issues. He stressed that managing the relationship must stem from a rational perspective that prioritizes the interests of the American people.

Vance referenced President Donald Trump's relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asserting that Trump was the only president in the last four decades willing to openly disagree with Netanyahu. "Donald Trump is the only president in the last 40 years who was willing to say, 'You know what, yes, Bibi is a good partner, but Bibi and I also have a different opinion on this issue,' or 'Bibi is wrong about this,' or perhaps 'Bibi is right about this from Israel's perspective, but the American people need us to go in a different direction,'" Vance said.

The Vice President compared relations with Israel to other U.S. partnerships, particularly NATO, explaining that strategic partnerships do not necessitate blind obedience. "We have many important partnerships in NATO, but that doesn't mean we're going to completely subordinate our European foreign policy to NATO, in the same way that we cannot allow our foreign policy in the Middle East to be subordinate to the State of Israel," he stated.

Vance concluded by emphasizing, "We will work with people when we work with them, we will disagree when we disagree, and we will pursue America's interests. That is the only way to conduct a rational foreign policy."