Republican Jewish Coalition Split on Trump, Want Actions Not Words

There's a divide among members of a small but influential group of Republican Jews over President Donald Trump, Politico reported. 

According to Politico, the White House, behind the scenes, is working to win over the group, enlisting billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson as an unofficial adviser.

The divide among members of the Republican Jewish Coalition, whose members were meeting over the weekend at Adelson's Venetian hotel in Las Vegas, is fueled by doubts about Trump's position on the Middle East peace process, his late response to anti-Semitic acts and a recent White House statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day that didn't mention Jews, Politico reported.

"Actions speak louder than words," one unnamed RJC member told Politico. "It's one thing to say there is no place for anti-Semitism in our communities, but what is he going to do about it?"

Others are suspicious the administration will renege on their promises, such as Trump’s oft-repeated pledge that he'd move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Politico reported. And at a speech Friday night, Vice President Mike Pence would only say that the White House is "assessing" a possible move. 

The outreach by the White House, however, is winning others over.

"Whatever conversations I've had with people in the White House have been more than satisfactory in terms of the issues I've been concerned about," said Mort Klein, a friend of Adelson and president of the Zionist Organization of America.

Klein had criticized Trump during his first days in office, but told Politico , "I couldn't be more sanguine" now. "If there was a hint of anti-Semitism in this administration, I'd be all over them," he added.

Some members contend Trump has far more support today than he did a year ago.

"We’re thrilled," said former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman, who was elected RJC chairman over the weekend. "We’re coming from a place where Obama on the way out kicks Israel under the bus. And then we’ve got a president who comes in and embraces Israel’s elected leadership."

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