World · Middle East · 1 hr ago
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth meets Netanyahu during unannounced Israel visit
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel on October 19, according to Axios.
The visit was reported by Axios, which cited two people with knowledge; Reuters said it could not immediately confirm it.
The meeting came a day after President Donald Trump endorsed Netanyahu in Israel’s parliamentary election.
The election is the country’s first since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack and the war in Gaza that followed.
Netanyahu’s coalition may lose its governing majority, though polls suggest the opposition may also struggle to form a government.
US Vice-President JD Vance said he would not endorse Netanyahu, saying he was focused on American candidates and the US midterm elections.
The sources do not say what Hegseth and Netanyahu discussed or what happens next.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel, according to Axios.
Axios cited two sources with knowledge of the meeting, which the articles place on October 19.
Reuters said it could not immediately confirm the visit, and US and Israeli officials did not immediately comment.
The visit came after President Donald Trump endorsed Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s parliamentary election.
Vice President JD Vance declined to endorse Netanyahu, saying he was not getting involved in Israeli elections.
- Who
- US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- What
- Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel and met Netanyahu.
- When
- October 19, according to two articles citing Axios.
- Where
- Israel.
- Why
- Not stated. The meeting’s purpose and what was discussed were not reported.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Donald Trump endorsed Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s parliamentary election.
Hegseth met Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel, according to Axios.
Vance said he was not getting involved in Israeli elections and declined to endorse Netanyahu.
- US defense secretary
- Pete Hegseth
- Israeli prime minister
- Benjamin Netanyahu
- Visit date
- October 19
- Reported by
- Axios, citing two sources with knowledge
- Trump endorsement
- Issued on Sunday ahead of the election
- Vance’s position
- Declined to endorse Netanyahu
3 sources
What people are saying
I endorse American candidates, and that’s where I’m focused on is the midterms
I’m not anti-endorsing him, but I’m not pro-endorsing him, I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections
BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!