Top Israeli cabinet minister meets US leaders in Washington despite Netanyahu’s objections

Washington – Israeli War Cabinet Secretary Benny Gantz will meet with leaders in Washington this week, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes his visit.

Gantz, leader of Israel’s National Unity Party and a political rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, met with Vice President Kamala Harris and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan at the White House on Monday, and spoke with Senate President Mitch McConnell on Monday. He was scheduled to meet with the Minority Leader. Capitol Hill later that day. Gantz is scheduled to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday.

In a summary of the meeting, the White House said Harris “reiterated the United States’ support for Israel’s right to defend itself amid the continuing terrorist threat from Hamas and emphasized our unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.” said. Harris also “expressed deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the recent horrific tragedy that has occurred near aid convoys in northern Gaza,” the statement said.

Gantz’s visit to Washington took place against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wishes, an Israeli official confirmed to CBS News. The prime minister ordered the Israeli ambassador to the United States and the Israeli embassy to boycott Gantz’s meeting with Harris and Sullivan, although ambassadors traditionally appear with foreign leaders during their visits. ing.

Gantz’s visit to Washington comes as the Biden administration takes a tougher stance on Israel as the death toll in the Gaza Strip rises to more than 30,000 since the war began nearly five months ago. It was carried out in a situation where it appeared that there were

The United States conducted the first food airdrop Provide aid to Gaza over the weekend.And Harris gave some of the administration’s most important points. forceful statement On Sunday, he spoke about Israel and Gaza, calling for an “immediate” ceasefire for at least the next six weeks.

The United States has for weeks advocated for a six-week ceasefire that would allow for the release of additional hostages. This was announced by a senior US government official. over the weekend Israel said it supported the ceasefire and hostage release framework. But Israeli media said the government boycotted Sunday’s talks after Hamas rejected demands for a complete list of surviving hostages.

Margaret Brennan contributed reporting.