Photo credit:Jacquelyn Martin
Gantz, a former army chief and defence minister, will be received by Vice President Kamala Harris, which is being viewed as a sign of the White House’s growing frustration with Netanyahu. Gantz will also hold talks with the national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, according to his centrist National Unity party.
On Tuesday, Gantz will meet Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has led calls for Netanyahu to allow the passage of more aid to ease the humanitarian suffering in Gaza, where famine now looms, according to the United Nations.
Israel and the US also disagree on how governance for the enclave will look like post-war.
Strengthened ties
Israeli media have reported that Netanyahu, who was apparently unaware of the trip until Gantz called him on Friday, has “made it clear to Minister Gantz that the State of Israel only has one prime minister”.
The Israeli embassy in Washington, DC is reported to have been ordered not to facilitate the “unauthorised” trip.
An Israeli official, speaking anonymously to The Associated Press news agency, said the visit is planned to strengthen ties with the US, bolster support for Israel’s war on Gaza, and push for Hamas to release all Israeli captives.
Reporting from occupied East Jerusalem, Al Jazeera’s Willem Marx said a source close to Gantz revealed that the politician had not instigated the visit, nor was it entirely at the invitation of US officials.
“Clearly there are those in the US who would like to open up a different line of communication with someone in the heart of the Israeli government’s decision-making process,” Marx said.