Lead

US Vice President JD Vance has accused some members of the Israeli government of trying to influence Americans' opinions to prolong the Iran war. In an interview published on Wednesday, Vance told conservative podcaster Joe Rogan that while he trusts some people within the Israeli government, there are others "who are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely."

The Israeli government did not immediately respond to Vance's comments. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday said: "I think the president would certainly agree that, yes, foreign countries certainly do try to persuade American public opinion."

Coverage Comparison

The remarks have drawn sharp reactions, with coverage differing in tone and emphasis. The BBC reported the story in a neutral, informative manner, focusing on the implications of Vance's comments for US-Israel relations. The Jerusalem Post, in an analysis piece, described Vance's transformation in the eyes of many Israelis from a politician to a "demon," noting that even friendly voices on Fox, like Brian Kilmeade, have criticized him. A separate editorial in the Jerusalem Post adopted a more urgent, critical tone, calling the situation an "avalanche" of anti-Israel sentiment and highlighting a crisis in the US-Israel bond.

Key Claims

Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience, Vance said that people within the Israeli government have been trying to shift the US away from its efforts to negotiate with Iran. "I definitely think you have seen this very discreet, extremely well-funded campaign to try to derail the negotiation and try to derail the deal," he said, adding there is "exact evidence" that some Israeli leaders "hate the deal."

Vance told Rogan that he "doesn't mind" what he described as "certain elements of the Israeli government" criticising the US position, adding that "foreign governments trying and influence the government all the time." "What bothers me is actually when Americans allow, meaning American leadership allows, that influence to affect their judgement and to a..."

The US reached an agreement with Iran last month, known as the memorandum of understanding (MOU). It allowed for the continuation of formal negotiations, included a now-abandoned 60-day ceasefire and a condition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, tensions over the Strait have resumed recently and the US has intensified its strikes on Iran while Tehran targeted US allies in the region. Vance has been heavily involved in negotiations with Iran - attending negotiations in Pakistan in April and travelling to Switzerland in June for the signing of the MOU.

In a separate development, the House of Representatives rejected a measure to cut billions of dollars-worth of US aid to Israel, with 314 votes to 104. The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky), was defeated. According to the Jerusalem Post, nearly half of the Democrats in the House, 103, voted for the amendment.

During the podcast, Vance also shared a claim that Jeffrey Epstein had connections to the highest levels of Israeli intelligence, a claim that has been refuted and discredited.

Perspectives

Israeli Government

The Israeli government has not yet responded to Vance's comments.

White House

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: "I think the president would certainly agree that, yes, foreign countries certainly do try to persuade American public opinion."

Pro-Israel Commentary

The Jerusalem Post, in its analysis, suggested that Vance's comments reflect a generational and political shift in the US, and that some of his remarks "lands badly, and is meant to." The editorial warned of a crisis in the US-Israel relationship, noting that "the long-standing US-Israel bond is in a real crisis."