U.S. Vice President JD Vance offered additional evidence that Israel should act according to its own interest, invoking the Hillel maxim 'if I am not for myself, who will be for me?' The remark, posted on social media, underscores the administration's view that U.S.-Israel ties should be pragmatic rather than sentimental.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance posted a message Saturday evening arguing that Israel must act according to its own interests, using the Hebrew maxim "if I am not for myself, who will be for me?" The post, from Vance's verified account, did not specify a particular context but appeared to reinforce his earlier statements about the pragmatic nature of U.S.-Israel relations.
The remark follows a series of Vance statements on Israel over the past week. On Thursday, Vance told the Christian Broadcasting Network that Israel has the right to self-defense, and separately that no country – including Iran – can be denied that right. Earlier in the week, he promoted the administration's Iran deal on Fox News, claiming it benefits Israel as well.
Saturday's post aligns with Vance's broader argument that U.S. policy should prioritize American interests, even as Israel pursues its own national security agenda. The phrasing echoes language used by Israeli leaders themselves, suggesting Vance is addressing an Israeli audience directly.
What remains open: the post contains no actionable policy announcement or new development regarding the Iran deal, Gaza, or Lebanon. It is a public expression of a worldview rather than a concrete diplomatic move.
2 developments
- ConfirmedVP Vance: no country should be told it cannot defend itself, including Iran
- StrongVP Vance reiterates Israel's right to self-defense in CBN interview
- DevelopingVP Vance at White House: Israelis must respect the peace process
- StrongUS VP Vance: 'I wouldn't attack your last remaining strong ally' — Israeli pundit replies
Source and signal
- Internal intake