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Yoram Hazony Says Marco Rubio Would Back Off Israel If He Ran for President
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Hazony’s Prediction on Rubio’s Israel Stance
In an interview filmed in The Jerusalem Post studio, Israeli-American political thinker Yoram Hazony asserted that “If Rubio were running for president right now,” — Hazony — the Florida senator would distance himself from Israel. Hazony linked this hypothetical shift to the electoral calculus of Republican primary voters, suggesting that a candidate would need to temper overt pro-Israel positions to appeal to a broader base.
Context Within the National-Conservatism Network
Hazony, president of the Herzl Institute in Jerusalem and chairman of the Edmund Burke Foundation, has long been associated with the National Conservatism (NatCon) movement. He noted that both Vice President JD Vance and Rubio’s staff come from the same “talent pool” and share a nationalist ideological outlook. — Vance
The interview also referenced the upcoming NatCon conference in Jerusalem, scheduled for October 6–8, marking the third anniversary of the Hamas attacks. Speakers are slated to discuss immigration, national sovereignty, and the future of the American right, alongside the Middle East after October 7.
Official Statements & Responses
Hazony emphasized that Republican candidates are currently navigating voter concerns about Israel. Hazony also cited a poll—though without identifying its source—claiming roughly 80 % of young Republican men hold a positive view of Tucker Carlson, noting that such support does not necessarily equate to antisemitic sentiment.
Criticism of Tucker Carlson’s Influence
He argued that such rhetoric threatens the Republican Party’s ability to retain Jewish, Christian-Zionist, and other pro-Israel constituencies. When Carlson requested a speaking slot at the Jerusalem NatCon conference, Hazony publicly refused, stating, “He’s not coming,” to avoid alienating speakers and audiences.
Upcoming NatCon Event and Broader Implications
The October conference will feature former Polish President Andrzej Duda, White House counter-terrorism official Sebastian Gorka, and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. Organizers intend to explore how nationalist parties in Europe and the United States engage with Jewish communities, with Hazony urging more direct outreach and dialogue.
These remarks illustrate the tension within the Republican establishment between traditional pro-Israel positions and a perceived need to recalibrate policy to win over a shifting electorate.