LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – House Speaker Mike Johnson initially hesitated to make a pitch for his party’s candidate during the Oct. 7 attacks anniversary event inside a Las Vegas synagogue but following the crowd’s encouragement he appeared unable to avoid the topic.
The Republican Jewish Coalition event on Monday inside Young Israel Aish HaTorah included community leaders, rabbis, and elected officials. With standing room only, Johnson was welcomed to speak in front of the crowd assembled to observe the Oct. 7 attacks anniversary.
“This is a very important moment for America and for Israel,” Johnson said. “I am so comforted to know that we’re in it together and that we are on the right side of history.”
Johnson described the events on Oct. 7 as “barbarism” and drew examples from the Old Testament to analogize his thoughts on the ongoing conflict.
“The Almighty says that He will bless the nation that blesses Israel, and He will curse the nation that curses Israel,” he said. “I want be on the right side of that one.”
Five minutes into his 17-minute speech, Johnson began to veer onto the topic of the ongoing general election and his goal of expanding Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Our adversaries fear Donald Trump, and there’s real value in that he’s not predictable and he’s not weak, and he’ll pick up the phone and call the Ayatollah and tell him, ‘What’s up,’” he said. “And I believe that we’re going to have a strong November, and I believe I’m going to grow my house majority, so the job’s a little easier.”
According to CBS News, the ongoing conflict surrounding Israel spilled over into Lebanon where Israeli air strikes allegedly killed dozens in Beirut. 8 News Now asked Matt Brooks, CEO of the Republican Jewish Coalition, for a reaction to the ongoing deadly Israeli airstrikes.
“It is equally heartbreaking to hear of the losses suffered by innocent people in Lebanon, in Gaza. There’s too much death,” he said. “The reality is the blame for the death needs to be appropriately laid at the feet of Hezbollah and Hamas which uses the innocent civilians in Gaza and Lebanon as human shields.”
Johnson had previously attended a Monday political event for two Republican candidates for Nevada office and is not expected to attend any other events while in Las Vegas, according to staff.
