U.S. Vice President Vance and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had a “frank and candid conversation” at the Blair House Tuesday evening, according to a senior Israeli official, as reported by Axios’ Barak Ravid. The official reported that Netanyahu had talked with Vance about his recent criticism of the Israeli government and Israel’s standing among Republicans. Vance’s office declined to comment.
Axios cited one U.S. official saying that the “conversation was direct.” Another U.S. official reportedly denied that the meeting was confrontational, but rather, a “cordial and productive conversation about Middle East issues that are important to both countries.” The two “agreed to continue pursuing opportunities for Israel and the United States to cooperate in areas of mutual interest and shared goals.”
