Leading Republican Jewish group to co-sponsor next GOP debate

The largest Republican-aligned Jewish political organization will partner in hosting next month’s third GOP presidential primary debate, the group announced Monday, a decision that comes amid the escalating violence in Israel and Gaza following the deadly attack by Hamas earlier this month.

The Republican Jewish Coalition said it will become the first Jewish group to co-sponsor a national debate, joining NBC News and the Salem Radio Network in Miami on November 8.

“As the horrific events of the last week have unfolded in Israel, the issue of American foreign policy has taken on an even greater role,” RJC national chairman Norm Coleman, a former Minnesota senator, said in a statement. “American strength and American resolve – and our candidates’ vision for America’s role in the world – are more important than ever.”

The announcement comes as Israel’s retaliatory campaign against Hamas enters its second week, with Palestinian casualties growing as the Israel Defense Forces continue their onslaught and a new round of rockets fell on the Tel Aviv area, according to reports.

RJC CEO Matt Brooks said the group’s invitation from the Republican National Committee “demonstrates the value and importance that the Republican Party places on the Jewish community and its growing support for the GOP, and the impact that the Republican Jewish Coalition has as an organization. This is an historic opportunity.”

The late Republican megadonor Sheldon Adelson, who dedicated much of his life to advancing pro-Israel causes in US politics, was a leading funder of the RJC’s political arm until his death in 2021. All the leading GOP primary candidates – including Trump – are slated to attend the coalition’s leadership summit later this month. Trump, however, will not take part in the Miami debate, making it the third such gathering he’s skipped….