Vice President Kamala Harris Hosts Israeli Cabinet Member Defying Netanyahu
In a surprising turn of events, Vice President Kamala Harris is hosting Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s wartime Cabinet, who is visiting Washington in defiance of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Gantz, a centrist political rival of Netanyahu, is scheduled to meet with several senior Biden administration officials, including Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Council Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk, and Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser. This visit comes at a time when President Joe Biden is at Camp David, the presidential retreat just outside Washington, until Tuesday.
Gantz has been making rounds in Washington, meeting with top U.S. officials to discuss the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He met with the top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East, Barbara Leaf, and State Department counselor Derek Chollet ahead of his White House meetings. The purpose of these meetings is to find a way to establish a temporary cease-fire deal in Gaza, which would halt the fighting for at least six weeks. The White House has been advocating for this framework deal for weeks, and Harris issued a forceful call for it during an appearance in Selma, Alabama.
During her speech, Harris emphasized the need for an immediate cease-fire to address the immense scale of suffering in Gaza. She stated that this would allow aid to reach the region and help build something more enduring to ensure Israel’s security while respecting the rights of the Palestinian people. Harris painted a dire portrait of malnourished and dying children in Gaza and urged the Israeli government to do more to increase the flow of aid. She called for the opening of new border crossings, the removal of unnecessary restrictions on aid delivery, and the protection of humanitarian personnel and convoys.
The visit by Gantz has caused tension between him and Netanyahu. Gantz did not have approval from the prime minister for his meetings in Washington, and Netanyahu reportedly gave him a “tough talk.” This highlights the widening crack within Israel’s wartime leadership. Gantz, who is viewed as a political moderate, has remained vague about his view of Palestinian statehood, which is a point of contention between him and Netanyahu. However, U.S. officials find Gantz easier to deal with and more open to compromise on critical issues.
There are speculations that Gantz’s visit to Washington and his potential departure from the government could signal the beginning of efforts to oust Netanyahu’s government. Analysts believe that when Gantz leaves the government, it will send a signal to the Israeli public that the need for national unity has passed. Gantz aims to strengthen ties with the U.S., bolster support for Israel’s war efforts, and push for the release of Israeli hostages during his visit.
It remains to be seen if Gantz will diverge from Netanyahu’s stances on Palestinian statehood or carrying out an expanded operation in Gaza. The Biden administration has repeatedly warned against an operation in the southernmost Gaza city of Rafah without a plan to protect civilians. While some believe that these meetings with Gantz may undermine Netanyahu, it is crucial for Gantz to carry the government’s line on key issues of disagreement to have a positive impact back home.
In the meantime, the U.S. has begun airdrops of aid into Gaza to supplement truck deliveries. This comes after dozens of Palestinians were killed while trying to get food from an Israel-organized convoy. The first airdrop included about 38,000 meals into southwest Gaza, and White House officials have stated that these airdrops will continue while they work on sending aid by sea.
The visit by Benny Gantz and his meetings with top U.S. officials mark a significant development in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. As tensions continue to rise, it is crucial for international leaders to come together and find a way to establish a temporary cease-fire and provide much-needed aid to the region. The outcome of these meetings and the actions taken by both Israel and Hamas will determine the path towards peace and stability in the Middle East.