Vice President Vance and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a “direct” conversation about their differences in a one-on-one meeting in Washington on Tuesday evening, Israeli and U.S. officials said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met one-on-one with US Vice President JD Vance last night at Blair House
, with
Netanyahu requesting the meeting, according to the source.
A senior Israeli official said Netanyahu spoke to Vance about his recent criticism of the Israeli government and Israel’s standing among Republicans.
“It was a frank and candid conversation,” the Israeli official said.
A U.S. official confirmed that characterization: “The conversation was direct.”
A second U.S. official said Vance and Netanyahu had a “cordial and productive conversation about Middle East issues that are important to both countries.” “The Vice President and the Prime Minister agreed to continue pursuing opportunities for Israel and the United States to cooperate in areas of mutual int
erest and shared goals.
Vance has been the most Netanyahu-skeptical voice in Trump’s inner circle since the beginning of the war. As the war dragged on, he became increasingly critical of the Israeli prime minister.
Vance took on a larger role in war policy and Iran negotiations as the conflict progressed. That culminated in the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, which Vance took a lead role in defending.
Netanyahu opposed the agreement but didn’t come out against it publicly, hoping it would collapse on its own.
Vance defended a deal the US reached last month to end the war with Iran, adding, “I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there have been people within the Israeli government who are ‌trying to, like, actually shift us away from that policy because they want to continue the military campaign.”
On Joe Rogan’s podcast released July 15, Vance escalated his rhetoric further.
“There are some people within their system (Israel), we know beyond a shadow of a doubt, who are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely.
“There are some people within their system (Israel), we know beyond a shadow of a doubt, who are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely. Not toward any objective, but just indefinitely.” “But I definitely think you have seen this very discreet, extremely well funded campaign to try to derail the negotiation and try to derail the deal.”
When pressed on criticism that his remarks promoted antisemitic tropes, Vance fired back.
“Go to hell. I’m going to do what I have to do for the American people. I represent Americans first.”
In June, Vance scolded Israeli officials criticizing the Iran agreement, suggesting that they should “not be attacking the only powerful ally” the country has “anywhere left in the entire world.” Netanyahu pushed back on the statement at the time, replying Israel had “many friends.”
Netanyahu was asked about the remark in an interview with Fox News anchor Jacqui Heinrich on “The Sunday Briefing.” “Many leaders, you know, call me up and say, ‘Hey look, I’ve got this problem with public opinion, but I want you to know, we respect you and can we make some deals?
“And can you teach us some of the things that your military does? And can we have some of your AI and cyber expertise?”
Netanyahu brought up Vance’s recent public critiques of his administration, along with concerns regarding Israel’s influence among senior Republican figures, during the closed-door talks.
The high-level meeting comes amid months of visible strain between Vance and Netanyahu following the outbreak of the Israel-Iran war in late February.
In the viral moment that preceded Tuesday’s sit-down, Vance’s on-air accusations triggered the most serious public clash between the two officials to date.
Earlier this month, Vance claimed during his podcast interview that certain factions within Netanyahu’s cabinet were “manipulating” American public perception and financing campaign initiatives to derail diplomatic negotiations between the US and Iran.
One senior Israeli official confirmed that Netanyahu confronted Vance about his remarks in their closed-door meeting at Vance’s home this week, describing the meeting as a “frank and candid conversation.”
One US official echoed a similar sentiment, stating, “The conversation was direct.”
Netanyahu emerged from the closed-door discussion claiming resolution.
“I had a very good conversation with the Vice President this morning. And I think we straightened that out because that’s not our policy,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu added that while individuals within his government may hold personal opinions, he alone sets government policy.
Netanyahu met with House Speaker Mike Johnson Tuesday after meeting earlier in the day with Vice President JD Vance.