U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz Begins First Israel Visit With Meetings in Jerusalem

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz arrived in Israel on Monday for his first official visit, meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem after crossing into the country from Jordan earlier in the day.

Waltz is in the region for consultations on President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan and to coordinate with Israeli officials on security, humanitarian access, and regional stability during a sensitive moment in the post-war environment.

Before entering Israel, Waltz traveled through the Allenby–King Hussein Bridge and highlighted efforts to keep the crossing functioning. “We are working hard to keep this crossing open for humanitarian aid and commerce,” he wrote, adding, “Under President Trump’s leadership, U.S. commitment to Israel’s security and stability in the region remains iron-clad.” His Jordan meetings included a discussion with King Abdullah, where the U.S. side focused on stability in Judea and Samaria and humanitarian needs in Gaza.

Upon arrival in Jerusalem, Waltz was received at the Prime Minister’s Office for a meeting with Netanyahu. According to the PMO, the discussion was attended by acting National Security Council head Gil Reich, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. The meeting marked the first in a series of high-level consultations Waltz will hold during his visit.

Danon welcomed the ambassador earlier in the day and emphasized the depth of bilateral coordination. “I was pleased to welcome Ambassador Mike Waltz on his first visit to Israel as the U.S. Ambassador to the UN. The strategic partnership between Israel and the U.S. remains strong in the face of terror and delegitimization,” he said. Danon added that their discussions with Netanyahu and Waltz focused on political cooperation, security coordination, and “our joint battles for truth and justice on the international stage and at the UN.”

Huckabee said in a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, calling it “a pleasure to welcome Mike Waltz to the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem as part of his first official visit to Israel to advance President Trump’s peace agenda.”

Waltz is set to receive military briefings on the eastern, northern, and southern fronts and later meet the family of Ran Gvili, the last remaining deceased hostage in Gaza.