US Defense Secretary Meets Netanyahu in Israel Ahead of Election

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday during an unannounced visit to Israel, ahead of next week's scheduled parliamentary elections, according to Axios citing two informed sources.

Reuters said it could not independently confirm the visit, while the Pentagon and the Israeli Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The nature of the issues discussed by both sides remained unclear.

A Visit Before the Israeli Elections

The meeting comes after US President Donald Trump announced his full and unconditional support for Netanyahu on Sunday, praising his alliance with the United States in the war against Iran. He wrote on his Truth Social platform: "Bibi Netanyahu will never let you down!"

In contrast, US Vice President JD Vance refrained from endorsing Netanyahu during a Monday interview with the 2WAY platform, stating that he does not interfere in Israeli elections and that his focus is on supporting American candidates in the midterm elections. Vance had previously visited Budapest and declared his support for Viktor Orbán during the Hungarian elections earlier this year.

Polls indicate a possible loss of Netanyahu's coalition majority in parliament, with the opposition also potentially facing difficulties in forming a government. The upcoming election will be the first since the October 7, 2023 attacks and the outbreak of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.