Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Defence Secretary, slipped into a covert meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv this week, according to Axios sources. The encounter came after President Donald Trump publicly backed Netanyahu for next week’s parliamentary election, a move that could signal a shift in U.S. policy toward Iran.
Israel’s war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a surprise assault, plunging the nation into a multi‑front conflict that now includes Gaza, Lebanon and Tehran. The war’s fallout has left Israeli voters deeply divided, with polls showing Netanyahu’s coalition barely holding on to a majority.
Analysts say Trump’s endorsement is a political gift that may rally Netanyahu’s base but does not guarantee a coalition majority, given fractured right‑wing parties and a disillusioned ultra‑Orthodox bloc. The endorsement could also embolden Washington to pursue joint military action with Israel against Iran, tightening the strategic calculus.
Some U.S. media outlets hint that Washington might be preparing to restart strikes on Iran before the midterm vote, a claim that echoes concerns from Vice President J.D. Vance, who declined to support Netanyahu and warned against politicizing the war. Vance’s comments suggest a split in senior U.S. leadership over the next steps.
Neither the White House nor the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement, leaving the true scope of the meeting to speculation. The Pentagon’s silence only fuels speculation about potential operational plans.
The next week will see Israeli voters head to the polls, while U.S. officials prepare to explain their wartime stance to Congress and the public.