Israel defense minister cancels visit with Pentagon chief

Israel has canceled a planned Wednesday meeting between its Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the Pentagon confirmed Tuesday.

“We were just informed that Minister Gallant will be postponing his trip to Washington, D.C.,” Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters. “Secretary Austin looks forward to seeing him soon.”

Austin was set to meet with his Israeli counterpart at the Pentagon on Wednesday as the U.S. ally was debating how to respond to Iran’s attack last week. Gallant was also supposed to meet with White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. 

But hours before Gallant was to begin his travels, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told him he did not approve of the visit and that he should wait until the Israeli leader speaks with President Biden, multiple outlets reported. The two have not spoken in nearly 50 days amid tensions over Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip and conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Netanyahu also delayed the trip to wait for approval of his government’s political-security cabinet on Israel’s planned actions against Iran, according to Israel’s N12News.

The prime minister’s office told the outlet that the move was a normal order of operations and Gallant’s trip didn’t make sense as long as Israel had not made a clear decision on Iran.

Singh said she was aware of the reports and that she would “stay out of Israeli politics.”

Asked whether the cancellation would have an impact on Israel’s response to Iran’s strike, Singh said she wouldn’t speak for the Israelis and their operations.

“We certainly can remain in touch whether it be in person via a meeting – should that be scheduled for a later time – or via phone,” she said, adding that Austin had not spoken with Gallant on Tuesday but that “it’s still early.”

She added that Washington continues to consult with the Israelis on what the response might be to Tehran.

The Biden administration has attempted to steer Israel away from a strike on Iran that raises the chances of a wider regional war, with Biden coming out against an attack on Iranian nuclear sites or oil fields. 

Some type of Israeli response is expected, however, after Iran launched 180 missiles toward the country exactly a week ago in response to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon and the killing of top leaders of the militant group Hezbollah, a prized proxy of Tehran.

After news broke on Gallant’s canceled trip, Israel National Unity party chief Benny Gantz slammed Netanyahu, saying his actions “damage the security of the country at a critical time . . . for personal and political considerations.”

“A prime minister who had Israel’s security as his top priority would send the defense minister” and “coordinated the messages with him,” Gantz said in a statement on X.