Pete Hegseth meets Netanyahu in surprise Israel visit ahead of key election
TBS English
20 October, 2026, 05:20 pm
Last modified: 20 October, 2026, 05:29 pm
20 October, 2026, 05:20 pm
Last modified: 20 October, 2026, 05:29 pm
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel ahead of the country's upcoming parliamentary election. The meeting comes as opinion polls indicate Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition could lose its governing majority. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Netanyahu, praising him as an ally in the war on Iran. Vice President JD Vance, however, has declined to endorse the Israeli leader, saying he will not get involved in Israel's elections. What was discussed during Hegseth's meeting with Netanyahu? And how does the contrasting approach from Trump and Vance fit into the political backdrop ahead of Israel's election? The specific details of the meeting have not been made public.
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