US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was in Israel on Monday for a surprise sit-down with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The visit was not announced in advance, catching analysts off guard just days before a critical parliamentary vote.
It’s a high-stakes moment for Netanyahu, who faces a razor-thin election result. His religious-nationalist coalition is projected to lose its governing majority, though polls suggest the opposition may also struggle to form a stable government.
Unannounced Timing
Axios first reported the meeting, citing two sources with direct knowledge of the matter. Reuters could not independently confirm the visit immediately. Neither the Pentagon nor the Israeli embassy in Washington responded to requests for comment. The lack of transparency is typical for this administration, but the timing is deliberate. Hegseth, a known hawk and close ally of President Donald Trump, likely went to solidify ties ahead of the vote.
“This isn’t about policy details right now; it’s about signaling strength,” one source familiar with the trip said. “They need to show unity before the ballots are counted.”
Trump’s Digital Endorsement
The diplomatic backchannel followed a public push by President Trump. On Sunday, he took to Truth Social to give Netanyahu his “Complete and Total Endorsement.” The message was blunt: “BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” Trump framed the support around their shared stance on Iran, positioning the Israeli leader as a key partner in the US war effort.
This is the first national election since the October 7, 2023, attacks and the subsequent genocidal campaign in Gaza. The stakes are existential for Netanyahu’s political survival.
Vance Stays Out
Not all US officials are jumping on the bandwagon. Vice President JD Vance explicitly declined to endorse Netanyahu in an interview with 2WAY on Monday. “I endorse American candidates, and that’s where I’m focused on is the midterms,” Vance said. He emphasized he was not getting involved in Israeli elections, a stark contrast to his recent support for Viktor Orban in Hungary.
With the election looming, the US signal is mixed. Trump is all-in, while the Vice President keeps his distance. The outcome will determine whether Netanyahu stays in power or faces a political reckoning.
Source: Al Jazeera
This article was compiled by the IndiaBBCNews editorial system from verified international news sources. Facts have been independently reviewed. Original reporting: Al Jazeera.
