US Defense Secretary Cancels Planned Israel Visit Ahead of Trump Middle East Trip

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has canceled a planned visit to Israel ahead of President Donald Trump's upcoming Middle East tour, choosing instead to accompany Trump on his trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The visit to Israel was to be Hegseth's first in his current role, where he was expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, as well as receive briefings aboard an Israeli navy ship. The cancellation reflects shifting U.S. diplomatic priorities, with Trump's administration no longer requiring Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel as a condition for civil nuclear cooperation and arms deals. Despite some criticism of Hegseth within the Pentagon and among lawmakers, Trump continues to support him. The trip underscores ongoing complexities in U.S.-Israel relations amid broader Middle East policy adjustments, including recent U.S. ceasefire agreements and negotiations involving Iran and regional conflicts. Israeli officials have expressed surprise at some U.S. decisions, highlighting tensions in coordination between the two allies.