Israeli Minister Without Portfolio Benny Gantz (pictured) is set to engage in several crucial diplomatic talks during his visit to Washington, according to his itinerary, disclosed by the National Unity Party. His visit is set to conclude on Tuesday with a pivotal meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. It will also feature anticipated dialogues with Vice President Kamala Harris, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and Brett McGurk, the administration’s Middle East and North Africa coordinator. The news follows reports that alleged Gantz’s US visit lacked prior approval from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
US rift with Netanyahu grows as top officials meet with his rival:
The Biden administration’s rift with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu became even more acute Sunday, when Vice President Kamala Harris called for a cease-fire in Gaza the day before a controversial meeting with a top Israeli official and longtime Netanyahu rival. Israeli Cabinet minister Benny Gantz traveled to Washington without the endorsement of Netanyahu, who instructed the Israeli Embassy in the U.S. to withhold assistance in arranging his meetings, Israel Hayom reported. An official from Netanyahu’s far-right Likud party, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Netanyahu had a “tough talk” with Gantz and told him the country has “just one prime minister.” Gantz, a centrist who joined Netanyahu’s hardline government following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks, arrives amid deep disagreements between Netanyahu and President Joe Biden over the Israeli military’s conduct in Gaza and a postwar vision for the enclave. Gantz is scheduled to meet Monday with Harris and national security adviser Jake Sullivan and on Tuesday with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, his National Unity Party said. They are expected to discuss the urgency of a hostage deal and cease-fire, the American commitment to increasing the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the imperative of reducing civilian casualties, a White House official told the New York Times. At an event Sunday commemorating the 1965 Bloody Sunday attacks on demonstrators in Selma, Alabama, Harris told the audience: “Given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate cease-fire for at least the next six weeks, which is what is currently on the table.” The U.S. has previously refrained from calling for a cease-fire but, along with Qatar and Egypt, has been trying to mediate a six-week truce that would lead to the release of hostages and enhanced aid for Gaza. NN: Biden refuses to speak to Netanyahu after relief convoy food riot. The will be a peace deal even if its crammed down BB’s throat.