(AP) – Vice President JD Vance is set to address the Republican Jewish Coalition on Monday, offering a closely watched opportunity to reaffirm the Trump administration’s support for Israel and its commitment to combating antisemitism.

The appearance comes as Republican leaders work to strengthen ties with Jewish voters and conservative Jewish activists ahead of the midterm elections. It also gives Vance a chance to address questions about his approach to Israel, his criticism of some Israeli officials, and his association with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson.

The event is scheduled to take place behind closed doors, at a particularly sensitive moment for Jewish Americans and for the U.S.-Israel relationship. Antisemitism has become a growing concern across the political spectrum, while Republicans are emphasizing their support for Israel and accusing Democrats of becoming increasingly hostile toward the Jewish state.

At the same time, the Republican Party is confronting internal disagreements over the future of American policy toward Israel—and over how aggressively conservative leaders should respond to antisemitic voices on the right.

Vance has consistently expressed support for Israel, but his approach has sometimes been viewed as more skeptical and restrained than President Donald Trump’s. In June, Vance criticized members of Israel’s government for opposing Trump’s efforts to resolve the war with Iran.

“If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world,” Vance said.

The vice president also said in July that some Israeli officials had attempted to influence American public opinion in order to prolong the conflict and interfere with negotiations. Those comments have raised concerns among some conservative Jewish activists, who want the Republican Party to maintain a clear and unequivocal commitment to Israel.

Terry Platt, a Republican Jewish Coalition member from New York, said some members remain uncertain about Vance’s views.

“There’s a sentiment here of some discomfort over the vice president speaking. Some people are disappointed,” Platt said. “We’re confused about his true sentiments.”

Vance is widely regarded as a leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2028. His appearance Monday could therefore carry significance beyond the immediate debate over Israel policy, giving him an important platform to define his views before influential conservative Jewish donors and activists.

Another issue likely to draw attention is Vance’s failure to publicly sever ties with Carlson, who last year hosted antisemite Nick Fuentes in what critics described as a friendly interview. Some pro-Israel conservatives have said Vance must reject Carlson’s influence.

Bruce Pearl, the Auburn University men’s basketball coach and prominent pro-Israel conservative, said in June that continued ties between Vance and Carlson could damage the broader fight against antisemitism.

Republicans remain more supportive of Israel than Democrats overall, although younger Republicans are increasingly questioning whether the United States is too closely aligned with Israel. That generational divide has unsettled some Jewish conservatives.

Still, Republican leaders say their goal is clear: to ensure Jewish Americans have elected officials who openly stand with them and with Israel.

“We need a country where elected officials stand proudly with the Jewish community,” Representative Lisa McClain of Michigan said Sunday. “That is the work, and it begins before we leave this room.”

Monday’s speech will give Vance the opportunity to make that case directly—and to reassure conservative Jewish voters that support for Israel and opposition to antisemitism remain central Republican commitments.