US defense chief delays arrival to Israel, will meet Netanyahu near airport

Defense Minister Lloyd Austin will conclude his Middle East in Israel Thursday morning, meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (R) awaits the arrival of Canadian Minister of National Defense Anita Anand before an arrival ceremony at the Pentagon Feb. 10, 2023, in Arlington, Virginia. - Win McNamee/Getty Images
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Jared Szuba
@JM_Szuba
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Rina Bassist
@RinaBassist

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has shortened a planned visit to Israel amid security concerns in Tel Aviv ahead of mass protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul.

Austin was originally scheduled to arrive in Israel on Wednesday night after meeting with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and top military officials in Cairo.

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