Netanyahu Rival Benny Gantz Visits US Amid Calls for Gaza Ceasefire

Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz was slated to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House Monday afternoon, a potential sign of divisions within the Israeli government amid ceasefire talks. 

The Details: Ahead of the meeting, Harris publicly called for Israel and Hamas to agree to a negotiated six-week ceasefire proposal that would include the release of Hamas’ hostages. 

For Context: The visit by Gantz, a Netanyahu rival labeled a “centrist” by Politico (Lean Left bias), was widely said to signal a potential split within the Israeli government over the conflict. Netanyahu was reportedly “enraged” by Gantz’s U.S. trip, and senior Israeli officials cited by Haaretz (Lean Left bias) reportedly said the visit “was a calculated move by the White House designed to strengthen the moderate wing of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.” Netanyahu’s relationship with President Joe Biden has reportedly been strained in recent months, with Biden reportedly privately referring to the Israeli leader as an “a*****e” on multiple occasions.

How the Media Covered It: Coverage was moderately common in mainstream news outlets. Coverage from the right appeared to pay more attention to Harris’ call for an “immediate” ceasefire.