Is the United States Trying to Replace Benjamin Netanyahu With War Minister Benny Gantz?
Jose Nino
|
According to a report published by the Financial Times on March 4, 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the Israeli embassy not to cooperate with War Minister Benny Gantz’s visit to Washington, D.C.
Gantz, a former defense minister who became a part of the unity government after the war in Gaza kicked off on October 7, asserted he was visiting the capital of the United States to “coordinate messaging” with American officials.
However, Netanyahu apparently did not approve Gantz’ trip to the US, who views Gantz as a potential rival for the Israeli Prime Minister position.
On March 4, Gantz met with US Vice President Kamala Harris, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and leading Republican and Democratic elected officials.
Dudi Amsalem, a member of the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) who is part of the ruling Likud party, accused Gantz of interfering with Israel’s punitive military expedition in Gaza.
“You entered the emergency government to create a consensus during wartime … not to stop the IDF from winning the war,” he declared on the social media outlet X.
However, a source in touch with FT declared Gantz’s visit is designed to bolster ties with the US, guarantee the continuation of US military aid, and maintain “the legitimacy for the continuation of Israel’s ground operation in Gaza.”
Israel is a uniparty when it comes to the Gaza question. The ultimate goal of the Jewish state is to ethnically cleanse its polity of Palestinians. Israel can go ahead and do so, but on the US’s dime nor receive unconditional diplomatic support from it.
Share: