'Disgusting': Randy Fine blasts Vance for telling Israel to back off

WASHINGTON, DC: A public disagreement within Republican circles over US policy toward Israel surfaced on Friday, June 19, after Rep Randy Fine sharply criticized Vice President JD Vance for comments he had made regarding Israel's response to the recently announced US-Iran memorandum of understanding.

Fine accused Vance of unfairly targeting a longtime American ally, while several other conservative voices also questioned the administration's criticism of Israeli actions in Lebanon. 

Randy Fine rebukes JD Vance

Florida Republican Randy Fine delivered a strong response after Vance suggested that Israeli leaders should be cautious about publicly attacking the Trump administration's diplomatic efforts with Iran.

Speaking during an appearance on 'Real America's Voice', Fine said the vice president's comments were inappropriate and reflected a misunderstanding of Israel's position in the region.

“I thought JD’s comments yesterday were absolutely inappropriate and frankly disgusting,” he said.

The congressman argued that Israel's security decisions cannot be viewed solely through the lens of its relationship with Washington, emphasizing that the country's existence and survival predate its modern alliance with the United States.

Fine, who has frequently voiced strong support for Israel, pointed to the historical circumstances surrounding the country's founding and said its legitimacy and resilience stem from the sacrifices of the Jewish people rather than support from any single foreign government.

The dispute emerged after Vance expressed frustration with Israeli criticism of the newly signed US-Iran agreement.

During a White House briefing, the vice president suggested that Israeli officials should be mindful of their relationship with the United States at a time when Washington is attempting to secure a broader diplomatic breakthrough in the region.

Vice president linked escalations to diplomatic setbacks

Hours before Israel-Hezbollah announced a ceasefire on Friday, Vance had defended the Trump administration's concerns about military developments in Lebanon, arguing that incidents causing civilian casualties risk undermining ongoing efforts to reach a more comprehensive agreement. 

According to the vice president, progress toward diplomacy was repeatedly disrupted by escalations that complicate negotiations and fuel instability.

The issue remains particularly sensitive because Iranian officials have repeatedly linked the success of any ceasefire arrangement with the United States to a reduction in hostilities involving Israel and Lebanon.

The criticism highlights a growing debate among Republicans over how the United States should balance support for Israel with efforts to preserve diplomatic momentum following the memorandum of understanding signed earlier.

While the Trump administration has defended the agreement as an opportunity to reduce tensions and pursue a broader peace framework, some conservatives fear that public criticism of Israel could weaken a key ally at a critical time.