Benny Gantz continues meetings with top US officials despite Netanyahu’s disapproval

War Cabinet Minister and National Unity leader Benny Gantz is in Washington, D.C. this week for meetings with several top US officials. 

On Monday, Gantz met with Vice President Kamala Harris, where the two reportedly discussed efforts to secure a new hostage release deal, as well as increasing humanitarian aid into Gaza. Prior to her meeting with Gantz, Harris called for an immediate ceasefire.

Gantz’s office said that he emphasized the importance of completing the original mission, which involved defeating Hamas, as well as returning the hostages and securing humanitarian aid for Gaza civilians. 

Gantz also met separately with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. 

ALL ISRAEL NEWS obtained a schedule of Gantz’s meeting for Tuesday, where he was scheduled to meet with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. 

Following his meeting with Austin, the Pentagon said the defense secretary expressed "grave concern" over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the U.S. has asked Israel to "open additional border crossings in northern Gaza" for humanitarian aid. Miller also said Israel must do more to "facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza and improve its distribution within Gaza."

Gantz was also scheduled to meet with the Bipartisan Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The meetings between the Israeli diplomat and the various leaders have been closed to the press, especially because Gantz is not representing the State of Israel in an official capacity.

According to a report in the Jerusalem Post, the decision to invite Gantz was made in an attempt to “counter the perception…that the Israeli government is extreme.” 

U.S. President Joe Biden's campaign advisors believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a divisive figure and that Biden’s relationship with him is costing him some support on the campaign trail. According to the Jerusalem Post, they advised Biden that Gantz, who is seen as a more unifying figure in Israeli politics, should be invited to the U.S. for lower-profile meetings. 

When asked by reporters on Monday if the U.S. should continue talks with him instead of Netanyahu, Gantz responded in the negative. 

“No, no, no, Israel has a prime minister, and everything is OK,” Gantz replied. 

The war cabinet minister also told the Washington Examiner that “the visit is going well.” 

He further stated that he was there to explain "Israel’s interest and how I see the United States’ interest.” 

Gantz’s office pushed back against the idea that his visit was meant to undermine Netanyahu, saying that Gantz requested permission from the prime minister before traveling. However, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) ordered the Israeli Embassy to boycott the meeting between Harris and Gantz as a sign of disapproval over his independent visit. 

U.S. National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby said the meetings were held at Gantz's request, which cast doubt on the claim that the White House was working against Netanyahu. Kirby affirmed that Netanyahu has an "open line with Biden."

Below is the schedule for Gantz’s meetings on Tuesday. 

• 17:00 Israel time (10:00 EST) - Will meet with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

• 18:00 Israel time (11:00 EST) - Will meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

• 19:30 Israel time (12:30 EST) - Will meet with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

• 21:00 Israel time (14:00 EST) - Will meet with House of Representatives Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

• 22:00 Israel time (15:00 EST) - Will brief the Bipartisan Senate Foreign Relations Committee.