Reconciliation with Netanyahu will not turn Vance into a Zionist, former consul warns

Yaki Dayan, former Israeli consul in Los Angeles, said in a Friday interview with 103FM that reconciliation between Netanyahu and US Vice President JD Vance will not make Vance a Zionist. Dayan said the reduction in hostility may make Vance more cautious in statements against Israel, but will not turn him into a strong supporter. He noted that the right wing of the Republican Party, including figures like Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon, has been lost to Israel, while other currents, such as Marco Rubio and evangelicals, remain supportive. Dayan warned that Israel's standing in US public opinion is at a very low point and that the disappearance of the political center in the US is eroding Israel's support base.

Yaki Dayan, the former Israeli consul in Los Angeles, said in a Friday interview with 103FM that the recent reconciliation between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Vice President JD Vance will not turn Vance into a Zionist. Dayan stated, "It won't make Vance a Zionist, I suppose. There are different degrees of reconciliation." He assumed that the reduction in hostility may make Vance more cautious about his future statements against Israel. Dayan elaborated that smoothing over differences means "we won't get involved with you - and you won't involve us in conspiracy theories," referring to Vance's past comments about Epstein and Mossad. Beyond the personal aspects, Dayan believes this reflects a broader sentiment on the right wing of the Republican Party, saying, "It is mainly characterized by people like Tucker Carlson or Steve Bannon - we have completely lost them there." He noted that other currents, such as Marco Rubio and the evangelicals, remain supportive of Israel. Dayan warned that Israel's standing in the US is at a very low point in public opinion, and that the disappearance of the political center in the US is eroding Israel's support base. He also expressed concern about the left's shift toward progressivism, citing Mamdani as a representative and kingmaker in the Democratic Party.