Hegseth makes unannounced visit to Israel, meets with Netanyahu ahead of election: Reports

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced trip to Israel Monday, meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just days before Israel's election. Hegseth posted these photos from U.S. Central Command Monday, but didn't mention his stop in Israel. Axios and CBS News report he met with Netanyahu and Israel's defense minister. The visit follows Trump's recent threats of more U.S. strikes against Iran. Netanyahu also released video Monday of a phone call with Trump thanking the president for endorsing his re-election bid. The greatest friend Israel has ever had and will have in the White House and all of civilization is emboldened by your boldness. Donald, we have a job to finish. You said it and we'll finish it together. You're a great warrior and we will prove that. We will prove that. In his endorsement, Trump praised Netanyahu's role in the war against Iran and warned that if Israel elects the wrong leader, quote, America will have to do this work ourselves. But Vice President J.D. Vance isn't joining that endorsement. Asked Monday by journalist Mark Halperin whether he supports Netanyahu's reelection, Vance said he's focused on American candidates and the midterms. Quote, I'm not anti-endorsing him. I'm not pro-endorsing him. I'm not getting involved in Israeli elections. That's despite Vance traveling to Hungary earlier this year to campaign for Prime Minister Viktor Orban.