Growing Strains in Israel’s War Cabinet and Relations with Washington as Benny Gantz Plans White House Visit
Tensions are rising within Israel’s war cabinet and its relationship with Washington as senior minister Benny Gantz plans a visit to the White House. Gantz, a former defense minister who joined Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition after the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, informed the prime minister of his plans to meet with senior US officials to “co-ordinate messaging.” However, Netanyahu’s allies have expressed their displeasure, with the Israeli embassy in Washington being ordered to boycott Gantz’s meetings. They accuse Gantz of acting against Israeli interests, referring to him as a “Trojan horse.”
The timing of Gantz’s visit is significant as US President Joe Biden’s frustration with Netanyahu has been growing, and their relationship has reached a new low point during Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza. Some members of the Biden administration prefer working with Gantz and see him as a test of Israeli public opinion on major policy issues, such as a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
During his visit, Gantz is scheduled to meet with US Vice President Kamala Harris, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and senior Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill. However, Dudi Amsalem, a Likud party minister close to Netanyahu, criticized Gantz for violating government protocol and suggested that Americans see him as the address to lead the process of a Palestinian state and the cessation of fighting in Gaza.
The visit comes as Harris urged the Israeli government to increase aid flow to Gaza significantly and called for an immediate ceasefire under a deal being brokered by several nations, including the US. The proposed deal suggests a six-week break in hostilities and an exchange of vulnerable hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Gantz’s National Unity party has gained popularity in recent months at the expense of Likud, with Gantz consistently leading Netanyahu in polls regarding suitability for the premiership. The rivalry between the two, which dates back several years, has resurfaced despite their partnership in the wartime unity government. Gantz has criticized Netanyahu for openly criticizing the country’s security chiefs and aligning with ultranationalist ministers on Gaza campaign policies.
Another point of contention between Gantz and Netanyahu’s coalition is the potential end to military conscription exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox. Gantz’s proposal is strongly opposed by the ultra-Orthodox parties that are a key part of Netanyahu’s coalition.
Gantz’s visit to Washington aims to strengthen ties, ensure the continuation of US military aid, and discuss diplomatic initiatives, including the proposed hostage deal with Hamas. It also seeks to preserve legitimacy for Israel’s ground operation in Gaza. The US administration has increased its criticism of the Israeli offensive due to worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza. In response to the bloodshed around a private aid convoy, the US began airdrops of aid packages over Gaza.
The incident involving the aid convoy has sparked controversy, with health authorities in Gaza and eyewitnesses alleging that Israeli troops opened fire at desperate crowds seeking food, resulting in over 100 deaths. The Israeli military denies these claims and suggests that the majority of Palestinians were killed or injured due to a stampede around the convoy. However, Chief Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari admits that “several individuals” were hit by Israeli fire as they posed an immediate threat to their forces.
The EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, has described the Israeli fire during the incident as “unjustifiable” and called for an impartial international investigation. The provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza during wartime has been a major point of contention within the Israeli government. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has criticized the policy and allowed far-right protesters to block crossings into Gaza. Ben-Gvir has urged Netanyahu to consider sacking Gantz for insubordination.
As tensions continue to rise within Israel’s war cabinet and its relations with Washington, Gantz’s visit to the White House will undoubtedly have significant implications for the future of Israeli politics and its relationship with the United States.