Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, raised eyebrows during a 2018 speech at the Arutz Sheva conference in Jerusalem. He suggested the possibility of re-establishing a temple on the Temple Mount, calling it a “miracle” that could happen, though acknowledging uncertainty about how it might unfold.
Hegseth also voiced support for Israeli sovereignty over settlements in Judea and Samaria, areas in the West Bank. He emphasized the importance of recognizing Israel’s control over these territories, stating that visiting the region was crucial to understanding its significance.
Furthermore, Hegseth rejected the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, arguing that “there is no such thing as the outcome of a two-state solution.” He contended that a single-state solution was the only viable path, citing the reality on the ground as evidence. His remarks highlight his alignment with pro-Israel policies and views on territorial sovereignty.
