From the Liveblog of
Monday, May 19, 2025
In the Vatican, Vance discusses efforts to ‘stop the killing’ in the Middle East
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
During a meeting in Vatican City earlier today, US Vice President JD Vance discussed with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher their joint commitment “to stop the killing in Ukraine and the Middle East,” the White House readout says.
The statement comes after reports that Vance decided against traveling to Israel tomorrow, in order not to signal approval for Jerusalem’s expanded military operations in Gaza. Vance himself said he did not visit Israel for logistical reasons.
Earlier today, the White House reiterated US President Donald Trump’s desire to end the war in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said publicly for the first time yesterday that he has mandated his negotiators to discuss ending the war, but only if Hamas agrees to disarm and its leaders go into exile — conditions that the terror group has said it will not accept.
Talks in Doha accordingly remain at an impasse.
The Times of Israel Community.