GOP divided over Vance rebuke of Israeli critics on US-Iran deal

Republicans on Capitol Hill are split over Vice President Vance’s rebuke of Israeli officials who criticized the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran, highlighting the broader debate on the right about foreign entanglements and the U.S.’s relationship with Israel.

The MOU establishes a 60-day window for peace talks — which Vance is helping lead — and pauses active hostilities, including by securing a ceasefire in Lebanon where Israel has been battling the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah. But the deal has drawn sharp criticism from some Israeli officials, including national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who argued that Israel is not a party in the deal and is not constrained by its calls for a ceasefire.

Vance last week fired back by saying in a press briefing that if he were a member of the Israeli Cabinet, he “might not be attacking the only powerful ally” that the country has left anywhere “in the entire world.”  

The remark quickly drew some GOP backlash. And the episode as a whole underscores the emerging foreign policy divide within the GOP that has pit Republicans who view steadfast support for Israel as a cornerstone of U.S. policy against a growing America First faction that is more willing to challenge allies publicly.

Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.), one of the staunchest backers of Israel in the House, said that he doesn’t “think it’s appropriate” for Vance “to attack our greatest ally, the only ally that we can count on to go into battle with us.”

“Look, I’m an America First guy. That means that I believe every country should act in their own interests, and so I would expect Israel to take an Israel First perspective, not an America First perspective,” Fine said.

“I think that really goes to the core of what was so offensive about the vice president’s remarks, is........

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