Gantz’s Gambit: Experts Analyze Unsanctioned US Trip Amid Israeli Discord
Amid US-Israel tensions and Netanyahu's declining popularity, experts view Gantz's unsanctioned US visit as a bid for independence and a challenge to the current prime minister
Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz met with US Vice President Kamala Harris Monday during his trip to Washington, ahead of his meeting Tuesday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. However, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office instructed the Israeli ambassador to the United States not to assist Gantz during his visit, citing regulations. Furthermore, it was stated that the government would not bear the cost of the trip.
Gantz’s visit to the US, allegedly without the authorization of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sparked a rebuke from Netanyahu’s Likud party. It comes at a time of increasing tensions between Washington and Netanyahu’s government, particularly concerning Israel’s war in Gaza—and as Netanyahu’s popularity declines.
Gantz’s party often counterbalances Netanyahu’s far-right allies, which has raised concerns among some in Israel’s government.
“Gantz is trying to make a more independent stand vis-à-vis Netanyahu, and I think Netanyahu senses that,” Uriel Abulof, associate professor of politics at Tel Aviv University, told The Media Line. “But I don’t think Gantz is even remotely brave enough to go directly against Netanyahu.”
For Gantz, this is a way to show some independent personality, which is probably the most we can expect at this point.
“For Gantz, this is a way to show some independent personality, which is probably the most we can expect at this point,” Abulof said.
He explained that this situation goes against normality and is not something Gantz used to do. “It tells us that it was the administration trying to pull Gantz into some sort of orbit that may eventually lead to an early election.”
Department of Political Science Chair at Israel’s Hebrew University Professor Gideon Rahat told The Media Line, “Gantz is very popular and gets a lot of support in public opinion, and his party is also very strong. He’s challenging Netanyahu.”
Rahat also noted that the current prime minister doesn’t like competition. “People were somehow kicked out of his party and out of politics,” he said. “Netanyahu wants to prevent Gantz from shining near him.”
According to him, Gantz’s primary goal was to represent Israel and—because the retired army general’s ego is not very strong—his primary motive is most likely to maintain a good relationship with the United States.
“Gantz is sort of the person who would like to just go under the stretcher to carry others,” adds Abulof. “But he doesn’t know how to navigate and to where. He would like to be high up there, to be recognized. But beyond that, I think that he has a very clear vision. But he’s a good person. I think his heart is in the right place.”
As for the White House, Abulof believes that the US is using Gantz’s positive public opinion. “Biden is thinking about the election. He knows that things are not looking as good as he would like them to be, partly because of his foreign policy and because of the support for Israel.”
“I think that Biden, as many Israelis, would like to see Netanyahu gone, and he sends this message by meeting with Gantz,” he added. “Issues of the war, how intensely to go into Gaza, what to do with all the people who have left their houses in the north, the humanitarian aid—I imagine all of that will be discussed with Gantz. But all of those aspects can be easily discussed over the phone. The meeting is symbolic.”
Not only does Gantz currently have more favor, but Rahat added that President Biden gave Netanyahu a hand after October 7 and that the prime minister didn’t appreciate the support. “Netanyahu treated him quite arrogantly.”
Israel was in shock after October 7. Many things didn’t work well; the state didn’t function. Biden came to help very quickly. Instead of being thankful to Biden, listening to and respecting him, Netanyahu played a game.
“Israel was in shock after October 7,” said Rahat. “Many things didn’t work well; the state didn’t function. Biden came to help very quickly. Instead of being thankful to Biden, listening to and respecting him, Netanyahu played a game.”
“He was pressured by his allies from the extreme right and listened to them more,” he said. “So the American president set up a meeting with Gantz and made the point by approaching the primary challenger. I think that Netanyahu is more interested in the internal politics and the pressure he is experiencing from his extreme right allies, and Biden is fed up with it. I think the Democrats gave Netanyahu credit, but he lost it.”
“Netanyahu is trying to maneuver, and it’s not easy to maneuver between his extreme right associates in the government, his partners, and his other partners, and then the pressures from the United States,” Rahat explained. “And Netanyahu is torn between all of this.”
Moreover, according to Abulof, “Biden has an evident vision for the Middle East, and Netanyahu cannot be a real opponent of that vision. For Biden, Gantz is a way to unlock that deadlock. I think the meeting could be a good opportunity to convey certain more subtle aspects of the dynamics in the East and the way the US administration would like to see it moving forward, and maybe Gantz could be a partner in this move.”
