Netanyahu rival Benny Gantz to meet US leaders
Al Jazeera
Opposition politician’s visit hints at cracks in Israeli government and growing frustration in Washington over Gaza war.
Israeli opposition leader Benny Gantz is set to meet senior Biden administration officials on his visit to the United States.
The proposed meeting of Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, on Monday is reported to have enraged his rival, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and appears to signal a widening split in Tel Aviv as the war in Gaza enters its fifth month. Considered a comparatively moderate politician from Israel, he will be received by Vice President Kamala Harris, which is being viewed as a sign of the White House’s growing frustration with Netanyahu.
Gantz will also hold talks with the national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, according to his National Unity party. On Tuesday, the one-time defence minister will meet Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has led calls for Netanyahu to allow the passage of more aid to ease the humanitarian suffering in Gaza, where famine now looms, according to the United Nations.
Israel and the US also disagree on how governance for the enclave will look like post-war.
Israeli media report that Netanyahu, who was apparently unaware of Gantz’s trip until his rival called him on Friday, has “made it clear to Minister Gantz that the State of Israel only has one prime minister”.
