Netanyahu ordered Israel’s UK embassy not to cooperate with Gantz’s trip to London

The Israeli Embassy in the United Kingdom was instructed by the Prime Minister’s Office not to cooperate with War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz's visit to London, according to a report in Israel's Channel 12 news. 

Like his visit to Washington, D.C. this week, embassy staff were instructed not to help coordinate visits with government officials, and not to help with security issues. As a result, Gantz’s team has been responsible for taking care of the logistics, in conjunction with the Shin Bet security team assigned to Gantz. 

A preliminary report on the prime minister’s order was heavily constrained by the military censor from sharing details. However, later reports indicated that embassy staff were ordered not to help with security or media arrangements. 

Normally, Israeli government ministers visiting a foreign country receive assistance from the embassy staff in the country they are visiting. However, Netanyahu had ordered the embassies in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom not to assist Gantz because the trip was unauthorized.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said that Gantz did not have authorization to travel to the U.S. and the UK, while Gantz’s office maintains that the War Cabinet minister had contacted Netanyahu to discuss the trip and coordinate messaging before leaving. 

Former Israeli defense minister departed the U.S. on Tuesday night, following a full day of meetings with U.S. officials, including Vice President Kamala Harris, and is expected to arrive in England for a meeting with former Prime Minister David Cameron in an effort to prevent a possible arms embargo against Israel. 

According to The Guardian, at least 39 UK parliamentarians have signed a letter calling for a weapons embargo against Israel over supposed violations of international law in its military activities in the Gaza war. 

Gantz is reportedly seeking assurance from Cameron that the UK will not impose an embargo on Israel as it prepares for ground operations into the final Hamas stronghold, the town of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

In his meetings with American officials, Gantz reiterated the Israeli government’s stance that a ceasefire is not possible without the release of the Israeli hostages being held captive in Gaza by Hamas terrorists and that a military operation in Rafah to eliminate Hamas is necessary. 

Netanyahu was reportedly furious with Gantz for planning the trip, telling him, "Israel has one prime minister."

Gantz and his National Unity party have enjoyed strong Israeli support in recent polls, while Netanyahu and the Likud party have declined in support since Oct. 7. 

Some journalists in Israeli media have suggested Netanyahu was upset that Gantz received a White House invitation, although from the vice president, while he has yet to receive a White House invitation since returning to the office in December 2022.

Several Likud and coalition partners have blasted the War Cabinet minister, calling him a “Trojan horse.” 

Gantz rebuffed a question asking if the U.S. should continue talks with him instead of Netanyahu, stating “Israel has a prime minister.”