


The Republican National Committee on Monday announced a historic partnership with a Jewish Republican organization for the third Republican primary debate next month.
The Republican Jewish Coalition is one of the RNC's several partners for the Nov. 8 debate in Miami, Florida, alongside NBC News, Salem Radio Network, and Rumble.
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"As the horrific events of the last week have unfolded in Israel, the issue of American foreign policy has taken on an even greater role. American strength and American resolve, and our candidates’s vision for America’s role in the world, are more important than ever," said RJC's chairman, former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman, adding that the group is "honored" to be chosen.
In announcing the debate's partners, RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said they "will offer our candidates an excellent opportunity to meet the moment and contrast their plans and vision with the failures of the Biden White House.”
The organization's partnership with the RNC is historic, as a Jewish group has never sponsored a national presidential debate, which RJC pointed out in a post to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
???? BREAKING: @RJC Partners with @GOP for the 3rd Presidential Debate on November 8 in Miami, FL
— RJC (@RJC) October 16, 2023
This is an historic opportunity. No other Jewish organization has ever co-sponsored a national presidential debate.
Full release: pic.twitter.com/SXqJ7cAHpy
The 2024 Republican presidential candidates have been vocal in their condemnation of the militant group Hamas following its attacks on Israel last week. Many have taken the opportunity to emphasize their commitment to supporting Israel, while others have taken a more critical tone.
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who has made foreign policy and her experience in that area a focus of her campaign, has been particularly forceful in her calls for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "finish them," referring to Hamas.
Fellow candidates former Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Vice President Mike Pence, and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) have also condemned the attacks strongly and expressed their support for America's ally.
However, the increasingly popular Vivek Ramaswamy has criticized the reactions from some of his opponents and tried to steer the national conversation back to the U.S. According to him, his opponents's responses were an example of “selective moral outrage,” as they ignored other issues at home and abroad.
“It comes down in most cases — some people do have ideological commitments that are outdated that are earnest — but a lot of it comes down to money, the corrupting influence of super PACs on the process,” he said. Ramaswamy is notably not heavily reliant on a super PAC, with most work being done through his campaign.
The candidate accused Haley of wanting to involve the U.S. in a world war, explaining, “I do not want a president anywhere near the White House who’s willing to march us into World War III, as [Haley’s] rhetoric suggests.”
Former President Donald Trump, who boasts a strong record of standing with Israel during his term, rubbed some the wrong way after the attacks. He used the opportunity to hit Netanyahu, with whom his relationship has reportedly soured. Netanyahu, Trump said last week, "has been hurt very badly because of what’s happened here. He was not prepared. He was not prepared, and Israel was not prepared."
Escalating his rhetoric on the attack and war, Trump said during a speech last week, “You know, Hezbollah is very smart."
If the first two debates are any indication, Trump is unlikely to participate, especially as his polling continues to improve.
But Ramaswamy, who appears to differ from his opponents starkly on the issue, could become the subject of their ire, once again. And while the former biotech CEO has won support from some voters for his isolationist tendencies, Israel and its protection have been described as a unique issue for Republicans.
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Republicans have long been particularly supportive of Israel, its right to exist, and its right to defend itself, more so than their political counterparts. And that trend persists now, with Republicans being more likely to feel sympathy for Israelis, think Israel's military response is justified, and believe the U.S. is not providing enough aid to the country, per a new CNN poll.
It's unclear whether the war in Israel will persist until the debate, which is three weeks away. However, the issue of antisemitism and the threat of terrorism in the Middle East could still be central issues during the event.