Exactly a week away from the Israeli Knesset election, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel on Monday, during which he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Axios reported, citing two sources with knowledge.
The Pentagon and Israel’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. According to the report, the visit comes against the backdrop of discussions between the two countries regarding the possibility of resuming the war against Iran.
News of Hegseth’s trip also comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Netanyahu in next week’s parliamentary election in Israel – its first vote since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, that shook the country and plunged the Middle East into turmoil, as Israel went to war in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, however, declined to endorse Netanyahu in an interview earlier on Monday, saying he was not getting involved in Israeli elections.
“I endorse American candidates, and that’s where I’m focused on is the midterms,” Vance, who traveled to Budapest and endorsed Viktor Orban in Hungarian election earlier this year, said in an interview with digital media outlet 2WAY.
“I’m not anti-endorsing him, but I’m not pro-endorsing him, I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections.” Vance said.
Q: Trump endorsed Netanyahu. Do you endorse Netanyahu?
JD Vance: I endorse American candidates. I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections.