Trump claims he could secure 50% of Jewish vote in presidential contest against Harris.

In the 2024 election, former President Trump believes he could secure up to half of the Jewish vote, while criticizing Jewish Americans who do not back him in his conflict with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump stated during a live-streamed address at the Republican Jewish Coalition's annual leadership meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, that they were likely at about the 50 percent mark.

The former president and GOP nominee made a claim, without evidence, that Israel will no longer exist if Harris wins the White House in November's election.

Trump met with a group of Republican Jewish leaders, donors, and activists, just days after the recovery of the bodies of six Israeli hostages, including an Israeli-American, in Gaza. The hostages were kidnapped by Hamas during an attack on Israel that sparked the eleven-month-long war in Gaza.

The Harris campaign countered Trump's speech by referencing the former president's previous criticism of Netanyahu for congratulating Biden on his 2020 election win over Trump.

"Donald Trump has shown that he would betray Israel if it served his personal interests, and he has done so in the past, while the Vice President has consistently stated her support for Israel as a secure, democratic homeland for the Jewish people."

President Biden's relationship with Netanyahu has deteriorated during the ongoing conflict, with the president expressing his concern that the Israeli leader is not doing enough to facilitate a hostage agreement with Hamas on Monday.

The vice president has attempted to reconcile her advocacy for Israel, which she emphasized in her speech at the Democratic National Convention, with her recognition of the significant number of civilian casualties resulting from Israel's military operation in Gaza. While the Republican Party is uniformly supportive of Israel, several progressive Democrats have been outspoken in their condemnation of Israel's conflict with Hamas.

Trump repeatedly questioned how Jewish Americans could vote for Democrats and reiterated that he doesn't understand how anyone could support them, stating that if you were Jewish and had to choose, you must have your head examined.

"Trump questioned, "What about the 50 percent of Jewish people who vote for those who hate Israel and dislike the Jewish people?" He repeated his accusation that the Democrats have been "very bad to you.""

Ari Fleischer, a Republican Jewish Coalition board member, highlighted the increasing Jewish backing for GOP presidential candidates after Trump's speech.

Fleischer, a longtime Republican strategist, former White House press secretary and Planet Chronicle contributor, stated that former President George H.W. Bush won 11% of the Jewish vote in 1992, while his successor, former President George W. Bush, won 25% of the Jewish vote in his 2004 re-election. Trump, four years ago, won approximately 30% of the Jewish vote.

Fleischer predicted that Trump could capture up to 50% of the Jewish vote in some battleground states, but he wouldn't predict the exact percentage.

""The ears of the Jewish community are more open to events happening around the world and in America, as they are now physical and palpable on the American street," Fleischer stated."

In this election cycle, there is a palpable sense of fear among American Jews due to events such as those on campuses and in Israel, particularly the October 7 attack. As a result, they are more open to voting Republican than ever before.

The Republican Jewish Coalition's political arm has enhanced its data operations by creating a "unique and effective voter file of Jewish voters nationwide," according to CEO Matt Brooks, who spoke to reporters.

"Over the past few years, we have been quietly building under the radar, deploying resources and hiring staff in several states, including Nevada, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Arizona. This has been done quietly since the last election, leading up to the present moment."

According to Brooks, the group is investing heavily in various advertising methods, including digital and TV ads, direct mail, phone calls, and door-to-door canvassing, to increase voter turnout.

The Republican Jewish Coalition was backed by Miriam Adelson, the billionaire casino magnate and Republican megadonor, who introduced Trump at the gathering.

Adelson, who is currently supporting a super PAC that backs Trump, referred to him as "our best friend" and expressed her excitement for him to become president and protect the Jewish community.