Nikki Haley Criticizes Donald Trump at Republican Jewish Coalition Conference, Urges GOP to Find a Candidate Who Can Win

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley made a pointed criticism of Donald Trump at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual conference in Las Vegas on Saturday. Despite Trump’s strong support from Orthodox Jews, according to a poll this year by the Jewish Electoral Institute, Haley said that “America needs a captain who will steady the ship, not capsize it, and Republicans need a candidate who can actually win.”

Haley’s remarks came as Israel expanded its ground offensive in Gaza, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning of a long and difficult war after Hamas’ attack on October 7. Haley said that she would not criticize Netanyahu in the middle of a tragedy and war.

Trump, the eighth and final speaker at the forum of 2024 GOP presidential candidates, received a lengthy standing ovation before he even said a word in a massive ballroom at The Venetian Resort on the Las Vegas Strip. He declared his love for Israel to cheers, despite having praised the anti-Israel group Hezbollah as “very smart” and disparaging Israeli leaders just days after an attack that killed well over a thousand people in the country.

The Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual conference was attended by 2024 GOP presidential candidates, who sought to peel support away from former President Donald Trump, the front-runner. Haley’s criticism of Trump was a stark contrast to the hero’s welcome he received at the event.

The Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual conference is an important event for 2024 GOP presidential candidates, as it provides an opportunity for them to make their case to the Jewish community. Despite Trump’s strong support from Orthodox Jews, Haley’s remarks at the event showed that his views on Israel are not shared by all Republicans.