Israel’s opposition leader could skip a White House meeting on the Trump administration’s long-awaited Middle East peace plan.
President Trump invited Israel’s embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gantz to visit Washington next week. Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday that Gantz was invited at the request of Netanyahu.
“Blue and White officials tell me Benny Gantz and other party leaders have second thoughts about whether they should accept Trump’s invitation and come to Washington next week. Main reason is the feeling they are being played by Netanyahu and the White House,” journalist Barak Ravid reported Friday.
Blue and White officials tell me Benny Gantz and other party leaders have second thoughts about whether they should accept Trump’s invitation and come to Washington next week. Main reason is the feeling they are being played by Netanyahu and the White House
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) January 24, 2020
Trump said he would release the plan Tuesday ahead of Israel’s March 2 elections. The plan was finished last year, but its release was postponed twice, with the administration saying it that it did not want to interfere in the Israeli elections.
Netanyahu, the longest-serving Israeli prime minister, is seeking a fourth term amid allegations of corruption. In November, he was indicted on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He has denied any wrongdoing.
The upcoming election will be the country’s third election in a year after the earlier elections, in April and September, failed to give Netanyahu or Gantz a majority to form a viable government.
Trump said his administration has “briefly” spoken to Palestinian leaders, who are skeptical that the White House will deliver fair proposals.
