U.S. Vice President JD Vance drew criticism for his tempered response at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi on Wednesday, during which a student said that Jews persecute Christians.

“I’m a Christian man, and I’m confused why there’s this notion that we owe Israel something or that they’re our greatest ally,” the student said.

Vance told the questioner that the U.S. partnership with Israel serves national interests. “When the president of the United States says ‘America first,’ that means that he pursues the interests of Americans first,” he said. He added that U.S. pressure on Israel is “why they’ve had success in the Middle East.”

Vance also talked about religious differences. “Jews do not believe that Jesus Christ is the messiah. Obviously, Christians do. There

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