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- The two leaders met at Blair House on Tuesday during Netanyahu’s visit to the US
LONDON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised Vice President JD Vance’s recent criticism of Israel during a private meeting in Washington this week, according to a report by Axios.
The two leaders met at Blair House on Tuesday during Netanyahu’s visit to the US, which included talks with President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other senior officials.
According to Axios, citing Israeli and US officials, Netanyahu addressed Vance’s recent public comments about Israel during what one Israeli official described as a “frank and candid conversation.”
A US official also described the discussion as direct but rejected suggestions it had been confrontational.
“The vice president and the prime minister agreed to continue pursuing opportunities for Israel and the United States to cooperate in areas of mutual interest and shared goals,” a second US official told Axios, describing the meeting as cordial and productive.
The reported exchange comes after Vance emerged as one of the Trump administration’s most outspoken voices urging restraint in the Middle East.
In June, he criticized Israeli officials who opposed Washington’s diplomatic engagement with Iran, saying that if he were in the Israeli government he would avoid attacking “the only powerful ally” Israel had.
Earlier this month, Vance also suggested on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast that some Israeli leaders had encouraged Washington to move away from diplomacy in favor of a more confrontational approach toward Tehran.
Previous media reports also suggested that Vance and Netanyahu held a tense telephone conversation earlier this year over the conflict with Iran, with the vice president reportedly questioning Israeli assessments that Tehran would quickly capitulate.
Despite those differences, Vance has repeatedly emphasized the strength of the US-Israel relationship.
Last month, he told CBS that while Netanyahu had “certainly got some things wrong,” he remained “a good partner.
“We’re going to keep on working together,” Vance said. “But where interests diverge, the United States is going to pursue the best interests of our nation, and that’s how it’s going to be.”
The White House and the Israeli government have not publicly commented on the substance of Tuesday’s private meeting. The report was first published by Axios.