Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Tuesday accused Vice President JD Vance of failing to take a definitive position on Israel, charging that he is attempting to appeal to both the pro-Israel establishment and the populist right flank represented by commentator Tucker Carlson.
In a post on the social platform X, Haley wrote: “Right is right. Wrong is wrong. In life, you must choose a side. You are either with the Tucker Carlson wing of the country or you are with the pro-Israel wing of the country.” She appended a quote from Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel: “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.”
The rebuke comes as Vance navigates a delicate balancing act ahead of a likely 2028 presidential bid. While he has publicly voiced support for the U.S.-Israel alliance and attended the Republican Jewish Coalition summit on Monday, his past remarks have raised doubts among Jewish Republicans. In a July appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast, Vance suggested that some figures within the Israeli government were trying to “manipulate” and “change” American public opinion regarding the conflict with Iran.
Vance's relationship with Carlson has also drawn criticism. Carlson faced backlash from GOP leaders after giving a platform to Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist and Holocaust denier, on his show. Jewish Republican attendees at the RJC event reportedly pressed Vance on his ties to Carlson, though the vice president did not directly address the matter in his remarks, according to a transcript obtained by The Washington Post.
Instead, Vance emphasized the strategic importance of the U.S.-Israel partnership. “I think my view is what we have to do is articulate why this is in the best interest of the United States of America and actually get out there and talk about the ways in which it is in the best interest of the United States of America,” he said at the summit.
During the event, Vance did mention Fuentes, describing him as someone “who really does hate Jews.” He added, “And also, by the way, really hates me and my family, so you’re in good company; that is real.”
The pressure on Vance intensifies as he positions himself for a potential 2028 run, where he could face rivals like Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The GOP's internal debate over foreign policy and populism is central to that race, as Senator Ted Cruz has noted the party has not yet settled on Vance and faces an identity struggle.
Haley's critique underscores the broader tension within the GOP between traditional internationalists and the America First movement. Her call for Vance to “choose a side” reflects a growing impatience among pro-Israel Republicans with what they see as equivocation on a core issue.
The White House did not respond to requests for comment. Vance's office has not publicly addressed Haley's remarks.
