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Israel, Jewish Groups Remember Former US Vice President Dick Cheney as ‘Great Friend, Steadfast Supporter’
Former US Vice President Dick Cheney speaks at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, Feb. 24, 2017. Photo: REUTERS/David Becker
Former US Vice President Dick Cheney died on Monday at 84, according to a statement released by his family, prompting condolences from Israel, the Jewish community, and longtime colleagues.
“We are grateful beyond measure for all Dick Cheney did for our country. And we are blessed beyond measure to have loved and been loved by this noble giant of a man,” the family’s statement read, naming pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease as the cause of death
Cheney, born Jan. 30, 1941, in Lincoln, Nebraska, served the United States in multiple capacities during a long political career which included roles as White House chief of staff to President Richard Nixon, congressman from Wyoming, secretary of defense for President George H.W. Bush, and vice president for President George W. Bush. Cheney also served as CEO and chairman of the board for oil company Halliburton.
Following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on US soil, Cheney emerged as one of the voices in the second Bush administration urging for a robust engagement to defeat the chief perpetrator Osama bin Laden, his al Qaeda terrorist group, and their allies.
Cheney is survived by his wife Lynne, their daughters Mary and Liz, and grandchildren.
Israeli leadership issued statements in response to Cheney’s death.
“I heard with great sorrow of the passing of former US Vice President Dick Cheney, a great friend and steadfast supporter of the State of Israel. My deepest condolences to his family and to the American people,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog said in a statement.
“The passing of former US Vice President Dick Cheney marks the loss of a great American patriot, a devoted public servant, and a dear friend of Israel,” added Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to Washington. “His leadership and his belief in the strength of the US–Israel alliance will not be forgotten. My thoughts are with his family and the American people.”
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on X that it “mourns the passing of former US Vice President Dick Cheney – a steadfast friend of Israel and a true champion of the US–Israel alliance. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and to the American people.”
American Jewish and pro-Israel organizations also remembered Cheney.
“Throughout a distinguished if controversial career in public service, Vice President Dick Cheney defended America against terror threats and shaped vital strategic partnerships across the Middle East, critically strengthening the security of Israel, America’s democratic ally,” the American Jewish Committee said in a statement. “AJC expresses our condolences to the Cheney family.”
The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) said in its own statement that the group mourns “the passing of Dick Cheney, the 46th vice president of the United States and a dedicated public servant who was a friend to the Jewish community and played a significant role in strengthening the strategic partnership between the United States and the State of Israel. Throughout his decades of service, Vice President Cheney maintained enduring relationships with Jewish communal leaders and institutions, engaging in serious dialogue on matters of global security and the protection of Jewish communities worldwide.”
JFNA described how Cheney “demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the security of Israel. He stood firmly for Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism and consistently recognized the shared democratic values and strategic interests that bind our two nations. His leadership helped deepen military cooperation and advance policies that enhanced Israel’s security in a volatile region.”
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) also mourned Cheney’s death.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family of former US Vice President Dick Cheney. We were honored to present Mr. Cheney with ADL’s Distinguished Public Service Award in 1993 for his role in reshaping the US military as secretary of defense from 1989-92,” the group said in a statement.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) posted online that the group “mourns the passing of Vice President Cheney who was a strong supporter of the US-Israel partnership. As vice president, secretary of defense, and during his years in Congress, Dick Cheney worked to strengthen the ties between the two democracies. We extend our condolences to his family and those who worked with him over his many years in public service.”
Cheney’s political allies memorialized him in their remarks.
George W. Bush released a statement, calling his former running mate’s death “a loss to the nation and a sorrow to his friends. Laura and I will remember Dick Cheney for the decent, honorable man that he was. History will remember him as among the finest public servants of his generation – a patriot who brought integrity, high intelligence, and seriousness of purpose to every position he held.”
Bush described Cheney as “a calm and steady presence in the White House amid great national challenges. I counted on him for his honest, forthright counsel, and he never failed to give his best. He held to his convictions and prioritized the freedom and security of the American people. For those two terms in office, and throughout his remarkable career, Dick Cheney’s service always reflected credit on the country he loved.”
Condoleezza Rice, the former US secretary of state who now leads the Hoover Institution as the conservative think tank’s director, reflected on Cheney’s national service.
“I admired Vice President Cheney for his integrity and his love of our country. I am grateful that I had the chance to serve with him twice — when he was secretary of defense for President George H.W. Bush at the end of the Cold War — a triumphant time for America and its values,” she said in a statement. “And then when as vice president, he helped to chart a course to protect America after the dark days of 9/11. He was an inspiring presence and mentor who taught me a great deal about public service.”
Rice added that, “most of all, I will remember Dick Cheney as a mentor and a friend. I will remember his toughness but also his sense of humor. He was indefatigable in his determination to defend this country and patriotic to his core.”
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‘For As Long As Necessary’: Katz Says Campaign Against Iran Entering Decisive Stage
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz and his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias make statements to the press, at the Ministry of Defense in Athens Greece, Jan. 20, 2026. Photo: REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki
i24 News – Israel Katz said Saturday that the confrontation with Iran had entered a “decisive phase,” as US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets continued and regional tensions escalated.
Speaking after a security assessment at Israel’s defense headquarters alongside Eyal Zamir, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, and senior military and intelligence officials, the Israeli defense minister said the campaign against the Islamic Republic would continue “for as long as necessary.”
“The global and regional struggle against Iran, led by American President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is intensifying and entering its decisive phase,” Katz said.
Katz also praised US strikes on Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil hub, describing them as a “severe blow” to the Iranian regime. He said the attacks were an appropriate response to Iranian threats against the strategic Strait of Hormuz and to what he called Tehran’s attempts to pressure the international community.
At the same time, Katz said the Israeli Air Force was continuing a “powerful wave of attacks” against targets in Tehran and other parts of Iran.
He accused the Iranian leadership of using “regional and global terrorism” and strategic blackmail in an effort to deter Israel and the United States from pursuing their military campaign, warning that such actions would be met with a “strong and uncompromising response.”
Katz added that the outcome of the conflict would ultimately depend on the Iranian population. “Only the Iranian people can put an end to this situation through a determined struggle, until the overthrow of the terrorist regime and the salvation of Iran,” he said.
According to the minister, the confrontation now pits the Iranian regime’s determination to survive against growing military pressure from Israel and its allies.
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Trump Rejects Efforts to Launch Iran Ceasefire Talks, Sources Say
US President Donald Trump speaks on the day he honors reigning Major League Soccer (MLS) champion Inter Miami CF players and team officials with an event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, March 5, 2026. Photo: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
President Donald Trump’s administration has rebuffed efforts by Middle Eastern allies to start diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the Iran war that started two weeks ago with a massive US-Israeli air assault, according to three sources familiar with the efforts.
Iran, for its part, has rejected the possibility of any ceasefire until US and Israeli strikes end, two senior Iranian sources told Reuters, adding that several countries had been trying to mediate an end to the conflict.
The lack of interest from Washington and Tehran suggests both sides are digging in for an extended conflict, even as the widening war inflicts civilian casualties and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz sends oil prices soaring.
US strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export hub, on Friday night underscored Trump’s determination to press ahead with his military assault. Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz shut and threatened to step up attacks on neighboring countries.
The war has killed more than 2,000 people, mostly in Iran, and created the biggest-ever oil supply disruption as maritime traffic has halted in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil is transported.
ATTEMPTS TO OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION
Oman, which mediated talks before the war, has tried multiple times to open a line of communication, but the White House has made clear it is not interested, according to two sources, who like others in this story were granted anonymity in order to speak freely about diplomatic matters.
A senior White House official confirmed Trump has rebuffed those efforts to start talks and is focused on pressing ahead with the war to further weaken Tehran’s military capabilities.
“He’s not interested in that right now, and we’re going to continue with the mission unabated. Maybe there’s a day, but not right now,” the official said.
During the first week of the war, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that Iran’s leadership and military were so battered by US-Israeli strikes that they wanted to talk, but that it was “Too Late!” He has a history of shifting foreign policy stances without warning, making it hard to rule out that he might test the waters for restarting diplomacy.
“President Trump said new potential leadership in Iran has indicated they want to talk and eventually will talk. For now, Operation Epic Fury continues unabated,” a second senior White House official said when asked to comment on this story.
The Iranian sources said Tehran has rejected efforts by several countries to negotiate a ceasefire until the US and Israel end their airstrikes and meet Iran’s demands, which include a permanent end to US and Israeli attacks and compensation as part of a ceasefire.
Egypt, which was involved in mediation before the war, has also tried to reopen communications, according to three security and diplomatic sources. While the efforts do not appear to have made progress, they have secured some military restraint from neighboring countries hit by Iran, according to one of the sources.
Egypt’s foreign ministry, the government of Oman and the Iranian government did not respond to requests for comment.
POSITIONS HARDEN ON ALL SIDES
The war’s impact on global oil markets has significantly increased the cost for the United States.
Some US officials and advisers to Trump urge a quick end to the war, warning that surging gasoline prices could exact a high political price from the president’s Republican Party, with US midterm elections looming.
Others are pressing Trump to maintain the offensive against the Islamic Republic to destroy its missile program and prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon, according to Reuters reporting.
Trump’s rejection of diplomatic efforts could indicate that, for now, the administration has no plans for a quick end to the war.
Indeed, both the United States and Iran appear even less willing to engage than during the opening days of the war, when senior US officials reached out to Oman to discuss de-escalating, according to several sources.
One source said Iran’s top security official, Ali Larijani, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had also sought to use Oman as a conduit for ceasefire discussions that would have involved U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
But those discussions have not materialized.
Instead, Iran’s position has hardened, said a third senior Iranian source.
“Whatever was communicated previously through the diplomatic channels is irrelevant now,” said the source.
“The Guards strongly believe that if they lose control over the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will lose the war,” the source added, referring to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an elite paramilitary force that controls large parts of the economy.
“Therefore, the Guards will not accept any ceasefire, ceasefire talks, or diplomatic efforts, and Iran’s political leaders will not engage in such talks despite attempts by several countries.”
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US Strikes More Than 90 Iranian Military Targets on Kharg Island, CENTCOM Says
A satellite image shows an oil terminal at Kharg Island, Iran, February 25, 2026. Photo: 2026 Planet Labs PBC/Handout via REUTERS
United States forces executed a large-scale precision strike on Kharg Island in Iran on Friday night, the US Central Command said on Saturday.
“US forces successfully struck more than 90 Iranian military targets on Kharg Island, while preserving the oil infrastructure,” CENTCOM said.
The strike destroyed naval mine storage facilities, missile storage bunkers, and multiple other military sites, the US military said in a post on X.
President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to strike the oil infrastructure of Iran’s Kharg Island hub, unless Tehran stopped attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.