Noem Teases Netanyahu Talk, Dodges Details

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has repeatedly highlighted a private meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a recent trip to Israel, yet remains tight-lipped about the substance of their discussion. During a Monday appearance on Fox News, Noem detailed stopping at the Western Wall in Jerusalem before meeting with Netanyahu, stating she was specifically sent by former President Donald Trump to engage in talks.

Noem described the conversation as “candid,” focusing on Trump’s prior negotiations with Iran and hinting at potential pathways to de-escalate the conflict in Gaza and achieve a nuclear deal with Iran. She emphasized the importance of intelligence sharing between the United States and Israel as a key component of these discussions.

“Around 10 o’clock last night, went and met with Bibi with the Prime Minister and had a conversation about President Trump’s negotiations with Iran and had a conversation with him,” Noem stated. She further noted subsequent discussions with Netanyahu’s team, but consistently declined to reveal any specifics of the exchanges, citing the private nature of the talks.

The governor’s visit coincided with a period of heightened conflict in Gaza, where reports indicate at least 38 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes during her trip. While Noem frames the conversation as potentially contributing to a resolution in Gaza, her refusal to disclose details raises questions about the transparency of her diplomatic efforts and the extent to which she is sharing information with the public. The repeated emphasis on the “conversation” itself, without substance, feels more performative than informative, potentially serving to bolster her political profile rather than advance concrete policy goals. It’s a common tactic for politicians to highlight access and meetings, but the lack of detail in this instance feels particularly evasive, especially given the gravity of the situation in Gaza.