Israel does not "control this president," Vice President JD Vance said in response to a question at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi on Wednesday.
Vance was referring to a question as to Israel's alleged influence over US President Donald Trump's foreign policy.
"I’m a Christian man, and I’m just confused why there’s this notion that we might owe Israel something or that they are our greatest ally or that we have to support this multi-hundred-billion dollar foreign aid package to Israel to cover this - to quote Charlie Kirk - ethnic cleansing in Gaza," the student asked.
"I’m just confused why this idea has come around, considering that not only does their religion not agree with ours, but openly supports the prosecution of ours," the student continued.
The crowd applauded before Vance responded.
America First does not mean that the US will not have alliances from time to time, Vance explained, adding that "sometimes Israel has similar interests to the US and we will work with them, and sometimes they don't."
Vance also affirmed that Trump's Gaza deal could "only get done by actually applying leverage to Israel."
“So when people say that Israel is somehow manipulating or controlling the president of the United States, they are not controlling this president of the United States, which is one of the reasons why we have been able to have some of the success we have had in the Middle East,” he added.
Vance also affirmed his view that there are "significant theological disagreements" between Jews and Christians, but that both sides can work together to preserve holy sites in Israel.
Vance notably visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem during his visit last week.
"My attitude is, if we can work with our friends in Israel to make sure Christians have safe access to that site, that’s an obvious area of common interest. I’m fine with that," Vance said.
Conflict of interest caused by Miriam Adelson's support?
Another student asked whether Trump had a conflict of interest as top Trump donor Miriam Adelson is a staunch Zionist and pro-Israel advocate.
Vance affirmed that he does not believe there is a conflict of interest, as Adelson is open about her views, The Hill reported.
Turning Point USA was founded by activist Charlie Kirk, whose widow, Erica, was in attendance and embraced Vance during the event.