LAS VEGAS — At the Republican Jewish Coalition leadership summit this weekend, Republican Jews faced uncomfortable truths about antisemitism within their ranks. While acknowledging the need to address these issues, many speakers shifted blame towards Democrats, accusing them of exacerbating the problem.

The conference, held at The Venetian Expo, was overshadowed by recent antisemitic incidents involving prominent Republicans, including a controversial appearance by Tucker Carlson with Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes on his podcast. These events have intensified scrutiny on the GOP's handling of antisemitism. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) expressed his alarm, stating he has witnessed more antisemitism on the right recently than ever before in his life.

Despite these admissions, several speakers downplayed the extent of the issue. Matt Brooks, CEO of the Republican Jewish Coalition, described antisemitism as a "very small, limited problem in our party." This sentiment was echoed by Rep. David Kustoff (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Randy Fine (R-Florida), who both insisted that antisemitic views were only present on the fringes of the party.

However, the conference also saw its share of deflection. Ari Fleischer, a former White House press secretary and RJC board member, likened the situation to a sickness, suggesting that while Republicans might have a "cold," Democrats suffer from a "fever" of antisemitism. Joe Gruters, chair of the Republican National Committee, and Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) also pointed fingers at the political left, accusing them of harboring antisemitic sentiments.

This narrative of externalizing the problem contrasts sharply with calls from Democrats for Republicans to take more responsibility. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) urged those aligned with the Heritage Foundation to disavow the mainstreaming of hateful ideologies.

The lack of explicit condemnations from top Republican leaders like President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance has not gone unnoticed. Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, criticized the Republican leadership's response, stating that there is a "permission structure within the Republican Party, and it comes from the top."

As the GOP navigates these turbulent waters, the consensus among some of its top donors and officials is clear: Antisemitism is a human problem that transcends party lines, but addressing it decisively within their ranks is crucial to prevent it from becoming more pervasive. Meanwhile, the community watches and waits to see if meaningful action will follow the strong words spoken at the summit.