The new U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, reached out to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to assure him of support for Israel's right to self-defense. Both leaders agreed to maintain close communication and discussed the importance of promoting mutual security interests and priorities, especially in the face of ongoing threats.
Hegseth, a former host of Fox News, obtained confirmation in the Senate as Secretary of Defense with the decisive vote from Vice President JD Vance. His appointment has been controversial due to his lack of experience in large military operations and allegations of sexual abuse.
During the call, the Secretary reiterated the United States' commitment, under Trump's presidency, to ensure that Israel has the necessary capabilities to defend itself. The communication between Netanyahu and Hegseth was described as an introduction to discuss the strong relationship between the United States and Israel.
