Posted on 05/19/25
| News Source: Times of Israel
Following reports that US Vice President JD Vance was considering a trip to Israel, a senior US official tells Axios the visit was ultimately scrapped due to the escalation of Israel’s military operation in Gaza.
The potential stop would have followed Vance’s appearance at the Vatican on Sunday for the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV.
Vance decided not to come, says Axios, citing the US official, “because he didn’t want his trip to suggest the Trump administration endorsed the Israeli decision to launch a massive operation at a time when the US is pushing for a ceasefire and hostage deal.”
Hebrew media reported yesterday that talks were underway to coordinate a visit, with Channel 12 suggesting Tuesday as the likely date. However, a White House official denied those reports, saying that “logistical constraints have precluded an extension of his travel beyond Rome.”
“Media reports that the Vice President will visit Israel are false,” the official said, clarifying that while contingency plans had been discussed, “no additional visits were at any point decided upon.”
The timing of the possible visit coincided with a new phase in Israel’s Gaza campaign — dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots” — and renewed, yet faltering, ceasefire and hostage negotiations in Doha.
A visit to Israel would have been Vance’s first, and may have softened concerns from Israeli officials that Washington is sidelining Jerusalem in its regional diplomacy.