GOP presidential candidates reached out to Jewish voters at a forum in Washington organized by the Republican Jewish Coalition. While Jews are overwhelmingly Democratic, the number voting Republican has been increasing in recent years. In 2012, about 30 percent of Jews voted for Mitt Romney. The current candidates tried to make their case for supporting Israel, opposing Iran, and representing Jewish values:

Senator Marco Rubio: I will make clear that calling for the destruction of Israel is the same as calling for the death of Jews.

Donald Trump generated controversy by invoking what some in the audience saw as anti-Semitic stereotypes. He referred to their negotiating skills and their money.