Hegseth reportedly meets Netanyahu in Israel as Trump backs him before vote

An unannounced meeting in the desert

Axios reported, citing two informed sources, that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, 19 October, during a surprise visit to Israel. Accounts differ on the site, with conflicting reports placing it at the Uvda base, the Ovda base or an air base in the southern desert. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and national security council head Shmuel Ben Ezra were reportedly present, according to Ynet, along with foreign representatives who appear to have come from the United Arab Emirates. The Pentagon declined to comment, and Netanyahu's office did not respond to requests for comment. On Tuesday, 20 October, Hegseth posted photos of himself speaking with troops in front of a fighter jet, but did not say where the visit took place or whether he had met Netanyahu.

Trump's backing before the 27 October vote

On Sunday, 18 October, Trump publicly endorsed Netanyahu on Truth Social, pledging full support and warning Israeli voters against choosing a rival. He said that if Israel chose anyone other than Netanyahu, the United States would have to carry out the fight against Iran itself. Netanyahu thanked him in a post, stating that Israel and the United States would never allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. Israel votes on 27 October in its first parliamentary election since the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023, and polls suggest Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition risks losing its majority. Opposition parties have no clear path to forming a new government, with Gadi Eisenkot named as the main rival, who said only Israelis can choose their leaders. L'Orient-Le Jour, as cited by Courrier international, described the endorsement as a personal electoral pact that could give the prime minister some breathing room in a weak electoral position.

Stalled diplomacy and renewed strike options

The war began in late February, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran, and 20 October marks the 235th day of the conflict. Diplomatic efforts have failed to produce a lasting deal, and the New York Times reports growing frustration in the Trump administration in recent weeks. At the United Nations General Assembly in late September, Trump suggested renewed military action and threatened to annihilate Iran. In October, Trump said on social media that he would not launch a new attack before the midterm elections in November, while Netanyahu told Israeli media that no attacks on Iran were planned before Israel's vote. The US military has prepared new strike plans and is sending more forces to the Middle East, and Europa Press reports that Trump reopened the door to the possible use of the GBU-43/B bomb, known as the MOAB. Meanwhile the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked to shipping, which affects fuel prices worldwide, and Iran-backed Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia.

Vance keeps out of the Israeli campaign

On Monday, 19 October, Vice President JD Vance told the 2WAY outlet in an interview with Mark Halperin that he would not involve himself in Israel's election. He did not criticise Netanyahu directly, but said he would not back candidates in other countries and would focus on the US midterm elections. He explained that his position was neither opposition to Netanyahu nor support for him. The stance contrasts with Trump's endorsement made a day earlier. Israel votes on 27 October and the US midterms follow on 3 November, a week later.