House Speaker Mike Johnson Tells GOP Jewish Confab: 'God Is Not Done With Israel' - Israel News - Haaretz.com
LAS VEGAS - House Speaker Mike Johnson, making his first public appearance since becoming speaker at the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas, told the annual confab that "God is not done with Israel."
Johnson is an evangelical Christian whose connections to Israel reflect the movement's deep ties to the Israeli right, which has become increasingly mainstream over the years. His rise to power is the biggest political victory for the evangelical movement to date, and his address to the RJC reflected that accordingly.
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"Our members are inspired right now. People feel the sense that we have a new beginning. I believe that God has given us that opportunity. God is not done with America and God is not done with Israel," he told the 1,000-plus attendees.
"We are going to stand like a rock with our friend and ally, Israel. I promise you that," he said. "We are resolved on behalf of Israel and when I say that, we share your outrage."
"My first visit was to come and be with you, that's not an accident," added Johnson, who detailed what the Republican Party's approach to Israel and antisemitism will be under his watch.
"The world's oldest hatred has become mainstream, thanks to academia and the mainstream media, and fringe government figures. But we must not only call out these antisemitic attacks. We must act," he said.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks at an annual leadership meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition on Saturday in Las Vegas.Credit: David Becker /AP
Johnson noted that his first act of legislation was promoting the pro-Israel resolution that passed with more than 400 votes, though several progressives voted no or abstained due to its failure to recognize Palestinian victims.
"There were 16 members of Congress that did not vote for the resolution. Rashida Tlaib, AOC, Ilhan Omar and others. Their votes underscore an alarming trend of antisemitism, globally and shamefully here in the United States," he said.
"House Republicans will work swiftly to pass legislation to provide Israel much needed resources in their fight against these barbarians. We will stand with Israel," he said, noting America was "founded on our Judeo-Christian heritage."
Johnson further delivered a message to the United Nations, insisting: "There will be a ceasefire when Hamas ceases to be a threat to Israel." The message comes after the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a nonbinding resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire, to the consternation of the U.S. and Israel and few other countries.
He also discussed his February 2020 visit to Israel, organized by a leading settler, during which he visited the Temple Mount and met with the conservative think tank behind Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul.
Netanyahu and his allies – including former Israel ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer – have publicly and privately stressed the importance of evangelical support as U.S. Jews have grown increasingly critical of Israel’s rightward shift.
Newly elected U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson delivers remarks with fellow Republicans on the East Front steps of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in Washington, DC.Credit: CHIP SOMODEVILLA - Getty Images via AFP
Johnson called Netanyahu in his first talk with a foreign leader, during which he echoed the premier's comments that Israel's war is one of good vs. evil and light vs. darkness.
"I assured the prime minister of our own unwavering support of Israel and the people in our Congress and under my leadership, we will be there until the end, we will be there until the end of this conflict."
Johnson glowingly quoted British philosopher GK Chesterton for his praise of America's founding and its Declaration of Independence.
Johnson, however, did not note Chesterton has been long been accused of antisemitism, including advocating for Jews to wear distinctive clothing if they hold public office, contesting Alfred Dreyfus' innocence, defending Edward I's expulsion of Jews in England in 1290.