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Saturday, Jan 24, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Lands in Israel for Meetings with Netanyahu and Herzog

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Lands in Israel for Meetings with Netanyahu and Herzog

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis arrived in Israel on Tuesday evening for a three-day visit. DeSantis, who is considered a potential Republican candidate for president in 2024, is meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.
The meetings are expected to focus on a range of issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Iran's nuclear program, and the threat of terrorism. DeSantis is also expected to discuss his plans for Israel if he is elected president.

In a statement released before his arrival, DeSantis said he was "honored" to be visiting Israel and that he was "looking forward to discussing ways to strengthen the already strong relationship between our two countries."

Netanyahu has been a vocal supporter of DeSantis, and the two men have met on several occasions in the past. In a recent interview, Netanyahu said that he believes DeSantis would be a "great president" and that he would "make America great again."

DeSantis's visit to Israel comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region. The conflict in Ukraine has raised concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict, and Iran's nuclear program remains a major threat. DeSantis is expected to discuss these issues with Netanyahu and Herzog, and he is also expected to reaffirm America's commitment to Israel's security.

DeSantis's visit to Israel is also seen as a sign of his growing political ambitions. The Florida governor is considered a rising star in the Republican Party, and he is seen as a potential challenger to President Joe Biden in 2024. DeSantis's visit to Israel is seen as an opportunity for him to raise his profile on the world stage and to build relationships with foreign leaders.

The meetings between DeSantis, Netanyahu, and Herzog are expected to be closely watched by both Israelis and Americans. The meetings come at a time of great uncertainty in the Middle East, and they are seen as an opportunity for the United States and Israel to reaffirm their strong alliance.

A meeting between a governor, and a US presidential candidate and Israeli senior officials is a regular and routine event.

When asked this week by CBS whether he would meet with DeSantis, Netanyahu replied, "Why not? I meet with Republican and Democratic governors, senators, and members of Congress. I would meet with any American representative, governor, senator, or member of Congress."
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