JD Vance rebuts heckler’s Gaza criticism: 'We’re the administration that solved that problem'

ATHENS, GEORGIA: Vice President JD Vance was interrupted and heckled during a speech at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Georgia on Tuesday, April 14, when an audience member shouted at him over US policy on Israel and Palestine.

The disruption came as Vance was defending the administration’s foreign policy under President Donald Trump and addressing the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Israel’s military has continued conducting strikes across the Gaza Strip, marking the latest violations of the ceasefire with Hamas that came into effect on October 10 last year.

JD Vance defends administration's stance on Gaza criticism

Vance was speaking about recent tensions between the Trump administration and Pope Leo, “I like that the pope is an advocate for peace. I think that's certainly one of his roles. On the other hand, how can you say that God is never on the side of those who willed the sword?"

He further emphasized, "Was God on the side of the Americans who liberated France from the Nazis? Was God on the side of the Americans who liberated Holocaust camps and liberated those innocent people from, you know, those who had survived the Holocaust," before he was interrupted.

An audience member shouted, “Jesus doesn't support genocide!” followed by, “You’re killing children!”

“I certainly think the answer is yes, and I agree Jesus Christ does not. I agree. Jesus Christ certainly does not support genocide. Whoever yelled that out from the dark ... He certainly does not. I think that's pretty easy. I think that's a pretty easy principle,” Vance replied.

The audience responded with boos as Vance attempted to continue, at one point asking the individual to allow him to finish, “To respond to this guy here. I believe he said, 'the (Trump) administration supports a genocide in Gaza.' And here's my response to that: when we came in, the humanitarian situation in Gaza was an absolute catastrophe."

He continued, "You know, who's the person who got a peace agreement in Gaza? Donald J. Trump! So if you want to complain about what happened in Gaza, why don't you complain about Joe Biden and the last administration? We're the administration that solved that problem."

When the protester again shouted, Vance responded, “Excuse me, sir, right now, you see more humanitarian aid coming in to Gaza than at any time in the past five years because we have taken that situation seriously.”

Escalating conflict, civilian toll, and protests in the United States

The US has long faced criticism for supporting Israel in its war in the Gaza Strip, where more than 72,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed since October 7, 2023. A ceasefire reached in October 2025 has seen frequent violations.

Israeli strikes have continued, with at least 11 Palestinians killed, including two children, on Tuesday. Gaza’s Ministry of Interior stated that Israeli warplanes also targeted a vehicle, causing several deaths and injuries, including a police officer, with at least nine bystanders wounded, some critically. Another person was killed by Israeli fire earlier in the day in Beit Lahiya.

In New York City, dozens of protesters were detained on Tuesday during demonstrations calling for an end to US military support for Israel. The group Jewish Voice for Peace said around 90 people were detained, including whistleblower Chelsea Manning. 

The New York City Police Department confirmed multiple arrests. Demonstrations took place near the offices of Sen. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, with chants including “stop the bombs,” “end the killings,” and “free Palestine.”

Protesters also voiced opposition to US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon. The Trump administration has responded to protests by attempting to deport foreign students, threatening to freeze university funding, and ordering the screening of immigrants' online activity. These actions have faced judicial challenges.