Vance avoids endorsing Netanyahu as Trump voices support

U.S. Vice President JD Vance sidestepped a question about whether he supports Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s candidacy ahead of Israel’s snap parliamentary election, saying Washington would not interfere in the domestic political affairs of an allied country.

Vance made the remarks in an interview with journalist Mark Halperin aboard Air Force Two, according to CNN, Operative Information Center-OMM reports.

The vice president said he preferred to stay out of election campaigns in other countries:

“I directly support candidates in America, and my full focus is on the midterm elections in the United States. I will not interfere in Israel’s domestic election process. I am neither for nor against supporting Netanyahu’s candidacy. I am remaining neutral,” Vance said.

Vance’s position has highlighted differing approaches within the White House, according to the report. U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview with Time magazine earlier this month that he would not get involved in Israeli politics, but later voiced explicit support for Netanyahu in a social media post, calling him a “Great Warrior Prime Minister.”

Days before the crucial vote in Israel, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived in Tel Aviv on an unannounced official visit. Hegseth held closed-door meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, discussing regional security and military cooperation, according to the report.