United States Vice President Mike Pence attended a Jewish Annual Leadership Meeting in Las Vegas on Friday. During his speech, he vehemently condemned acts of anti-Semitic vandalism that had occurred in the recent past all over the United States. He said the acts had “no place” in the country.
“Let me be very clear: We condemn these acts of vandalism and the people that perpetrated these acts in the strongest possible terms,” he told the gathering. “Hatred and anti-Semitism have no place in American society,” he continued to add as he addressed the members of the Republic Jewish Coalition. He made these statements just a few days after visiting a desecrated Jewish cemetery in St. Louis.
There has been growing unease within the Jewish American community in the recent past. This has been primarily due to the growing acts of vandalism occurring in this conservative community. With the media reporting more cases such as these in the recent past, Mike Pence as comments have come at the right time, serving as an assurance to government support for the Jewish community.
President Trump, however, has been unmistakably quiet over the issue. His most expressive comment so far came out during a visit to the National Museum of African-American History and Culture this week. “The anti-Semitic threats targeting our Jewish community and community centers are horrible and are painful and a very sad reminder of the work that still must be done to root out hate and prejudice and evil,” he said.
Mike Pence made the remarks to one of its most relevant audiences, as these attacks have been in the Jewish community. The conservative organization is primarily funded by Jewish American Sheldon Adelson, a casino mogul. Mr. Adelson also offered support to Trump’s Presidential campaign through the contribution of tens of millions of dollars. He and his wife, Miriam, were seated in the front row of the Friday gathering.
The Vice President went further and discussed the government’s view on the Israel-Palestine conflict. He reaffirmed the government’s support for Israel’s National Security. Pointedly, he avoided making any claims as to whether the government’s approach to peace would include an independent Palestine state. “President Trump is personally invested in forging a lasting peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” he said to the gathering. “Under President Trump, let me assure you: America will support the negotiation process, but as the president said, any agreement must be reached by both sides. While there will undoubtedly have to compromise, know this: The Trump administration will never compromise the safety and security of the Jewish state of Israel,” he added.
There has been growing confusion as to the Trump administration’s approach to the peace accord, to which the President has vowed a renewal. During his appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump said he was considering solutions involving both one and two States. However, he added that he had not reached any conclusions.
Trump has since repeated the same claims, saying he was happy with the solution that the conflicting parties agreed upon. These statements purport to him letting Israelis and Palestinians reach their consensus. Pence has continually echoed the President’s statements on this issue.
A key issue that Pence did not address was the delivery of a campaign promise made by Trump: the movement of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He only claimed that the administration was still “assessing” the matter.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney introduced Pence during the conference, with the two meeting later that evening.
