RNC crowd erupts in cheers for Israel, as Jewish speaker draws contrast to Democrats

MILWAUKEE — The crowd at the Republican National Convention erupts after Republican Jewish Coalition CEO Matt Brooks begins his speech by asking those who support Israel to cheer.

“If someone tried that at the Democrats’ convention, they’d be booed off the stage! But here at the Republican Convention, we proudly and loudly stand with Israel!” Brooks says to more cheers from the several thousand GOP members in the stands at the Fiserv Forum arena for the second night of the RNC in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Hours earlier, the Democratic Party advanced a platform that maintains support for Israel, but the saliency of that backing has indeed waned as the war in Gaza has dragged on.

The RJC leader pledges that the Republican party will continue to build on its support from Jewish voters in the coming election.

Between two-thirds and three-quarters of Jews vote Democrat, but the GOP has in fact enjoyed a gradual boost in recent years. Still, the large majority who have stuck with the Democratic Party have infuriated Trump, who has repeatedly accused them of being disloyal to Israel and their faith.

Touching on rising antisemitism in the US since October 7, Brooks takes out a red yarmulke inscribed with Trump’s name and says, “President Trump will bring back law and order so that American Jews can once again wear a kippah and walk the streets without fear.”

Republicans booed President Joe Biden for withholding a weapons shipment from Israel during the RNC Tuesday. "There is only one pro-Israel party and it's the Republican Party," Republican Jewish Coalition CEO Matt Brooks said.

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