Could Gantz join Netanyahu's government for Saudi peace deal? - report

Two of Gantz's representatives declined to comment on whether he could join Netnayahu's government to help seal peace with Saudi Arabia.

NETANYAHU AND Gantz – can they put their animosity aside and serve the public? (photo credit: CORINNA KERN AMIR COHEN REUTERS)
NETANYAHU AND Gantz – can they put their animosity aside and serve the public?
(photo credit: CORINNA KERN AMIR COHEN REUTERS)

National Unity Party head MK Benny Gantz visited the United States on Wednesday and met with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, sparking speculation he could join Netanyahu's government to help facilitate a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia.

The two discussed relations with Saudi Arabia but no statements were made regarding Gantz's political future or the possibility of Gantz joining Netanyahu's government as a step toward Saudi normalization with Israel.

Two of Gantz's representatives declined to comment on the issue on Thursday.

"In the meeting," wrote Gantz on X, "we discussed advancing the vital security interests of the State of Israel, the broadening of Israel's integration into the region, and confronting threats posed by Iran and its proxies in the Middle East."

A similar possibility was discussed last month when Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid visited Washington. He, however, refused to promise any such concession. 

 MK Benny Gantz at a discussion and a vote on the reasonableness bill at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on July 23, 2023. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)
MK Benny Gantz at a discussion and a vote on the reasonableness bill at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on July 23, 2023. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Gantz's visit only lasted one day, and no commitments have been announced regarding the makeup of the Israeli government in the future. 

This is a developing story.