'Pro-Israel' US Senator 'refuses to meet' far-right politicians during visit

A US senator, considered to be pro-Israel, has reportedly asked not to meet with far-right parties during a recent visit to the country.

The news comes as the international community appears to have a "wait-and-see" approach to the newly established Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and including far-right ministers.

Haaretz reported that Jacky Rosen of Nevada made the request not to meet with the far-right parties during the trip, while The Times of Israel said it was the delegation she was leading that had refused the meeting.

The decision to not meet with the parties is notable, given the relative silence from the White House about the new Israeli government.

The fact that the request came from a politician from a swing state, who is generally not outspoken on such issues and widely considered to be pro-Israel, shows some backlash in the US to the new Israeli government.

In addition to advocating for annexing large parts of the occupied West Bank and far-right politicians have called for stripping Palestinians of other rights.

Some of the new Israeli leaders have also put into question the future rights of women, the LGBTQ+ community, as well as those who practice Reform Judaism. Prior to entering Congress, Rosen was President of her reform synagogue.

Far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed he did not have a meeting with the delegation, which arrived on Tuesday, according to The Times of Israel.