U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance denied reports of a confrontation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying in a statement that the two had a 'good, honest, and open conversation.' Vance's remarks follow earlier reports of a tense meeting, which both sides have described as 'pleasant, but direct.'
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance issued a statement Thursday afternoon explicitly denying reports of a confrontation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing their conversation as 'good, honest and open' and stating that Netanyahu 'did not confront me.' The statement comes hours after Vance first pushed back against the narrative in a Fox News interview earlier Thursday, reported by The Zioneer at 12:48 Jerusalem time, in which he described the meeting as 'pleasant, but direct.'
The Zioneer first reported on the denial from Vance's Fox News interview at 12:48 Jerusalem. Shortly thereafter, additional reports from i24NEWS and Abu Ali Express carried similar remarks from the Vice President, all published around the same time. The meeting itself was characterized by Israeli and American officials as 'honest, direct and ultimately friendly,' as The Zioneer reported on Friday, July 31. Earlier, Prime Minister Netanyahu told ABC that he and Vance 'ironed out differences' in a 'very good' call, as reported by The Zioneer on July 30.
The exchange unfolds against weeks of tension between the Trump administration and Jerusalem over the emerging U.S.-Iran diplomatic framework. Vance has defended the agreement as a 'serious step,' and as The Zioneer reported on June 18, he has argued that Netanyahu refrains from publicly criticizing the deal because he is familiar with its classified details. President Trump, in comments reported by The Zioneer on June 20, called Netanyahu 'a fighter' while also sharing doubts about his re-election prospects.
The specific content of the meeting between Vance and Netanyahu remains private, with both sides emphasizing the positive and productive tone of the conversation but declining to disclose details.
4 developments
- StrongOfficials: Vance-Netanyahu meeting was 'honest, direct, friendly,' both sides agree to cooperate
- StrongNetanyahu says he 'ironed out differences' with US Vice President in 'very good' call
- DevelopingVP Vance says Netanyahu does not criticize US-Iran deal because he knows its details
- DevelopingVance declines to deny Israeli espionage claim against US
Source and signal
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