Netanyahu meeting with Vance was ‘good’ and ‘honest,’ says Israeli official

WASHINGTON — Asked to comment on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting earlier today with US Vice President JD Vance — who has been one of the administration’s most vocal critics of Israel — a senior Israeli official briefing reporters characterized the conversation as “good” and “honest,” without elaborating further.

Vance fumed earlier this month at a reported Israeli government-funded influence campaign aimed at criticizing the Trump’s administration efforts to negotiate an end to the Iran war.

A US official later tells The Times of Israel that Vance and Netanyahu “had a cordial and productive conversation about Middle East issues that are important to both countries.”

“They agreed to continue pursuing opportunities for Israel and the United States to cooperate in areas of mutual interest and shared goals,” the official adds.

As for reports that Netanyahu snubbed a meeting request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Israeli official claimed the prime minister was unaware of such an ask.

Netanyahu did manage to have a brief conversation with Zelensky during the Wednesday memorial service for senator Lindsey Graham that they both attended at Washington’s National Cathedral.

Also present was Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s ousted shah. The Israeli official says Netanyahu spoke for two minutes with Pahlavi without disclosing what they discussed.