In an unexpected turn of events, Benny Gantz, the chairman of Israel's National Unity party, held a meeting with Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor of the United States, on Wednesday night. Gantz's unannounced visit to the United States stirred curiosity among the media and the public alike.
According to a statement released by Gantz's office, the meeting focused on several crucial topics, including the advancement of Israel's essential security interests, the expansion of its regional integration, and the strategies for countering the Iranian threat along with Iran's proxies in the Middle East. The backdrop for this meeting is the United States' ongoing efforts to garner support from Israeli opposition leaders for a potential agreement with Saudi Arabia, encompassing various security aspects.
Scoop: Former Israeli minister of defense Benny Gantz is on a low profile visit to Washington & met today at the White House with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, two U.S. sources told me. His visit comes amid White House efforts to reach a mega deal with Saudi Arabia https://t.co/D56BzGs8Ny
ā Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) October 5, 2023
This rendezvous occurred concurrently with the official visit of an Israeli delegation, headed by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, which touched down in Saudi Arabia earlier in the week. The delegation, consisting of 14 members, boasts prominent figures such as David Bitan, the Chairman of the Economic Committee, the Director General and Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Communications, the Minister's Chief of Staff, the Minister's Spokesperson, representatives from the Directorate of Foreign Relations, and delegates from the Post Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu granted authorization for this delegation's involvement, as they actively participated in an international conference held in Riyadh over the past two days. During this conference, members of the Israeli delegation engaged with representatives from various nations worldwide, contributing to a broader discourse on critical regional matters.
×× × ××× ×× ×Ø×ש ×××××Ŗ ×ש×Ø ××ש×Ø××× ××Ø×ש×× ×©× ××× ×¢× ××××Ŗ ×¢×Ø× ××”×¢××××Ŗ.
ā š®š±×©××× ×§×Ø×¢× - Shlomo Karhi (@shlomo_karhi) October 4, 2023
×××× ×ש××× ×©× ×Ø×ש ×××ש×× × ×Ŗ× ××× ××©× ×× ×××× ×¢×Ø× ××”×¢××××Ŗ ק××Ø× ×¢××Ø ××××××.
×¦×¤× ×× ×××× ×××× ×× ×צ××Ŗ× ×”×× ××פ×× ×ש×Ø×× ×××Ø××©× ××ש××××Ŗ ××× ××¢×××, ××Ŗ××××Ø ××”××Ø×× ××Ŗקש××Ø×Ŗ ×××× ××××× ×©××¢×××Ø ××Ø× ×¢×Ø× ××”×¢××××Ŗ ××ש×Ø××, ××Ŗ× ×©××Ø××Ŗ×ā¦ pic.twitter.com/wg3Cewpkrd
Minister Karhi, during his stay, addressed the Universal Postal Union (UPU) conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital. In his address, delivered eloquently in Arabic before an audience comprising representatives and leaders from different delegations, the minister underscored the importance of enhanced communication services between nations in the region. He emphasized how advanced communication services can serve as bridges connecting people and cultures, fostering cooperation and understanding.
Notably, this visit follows Tourism Minister Haim Katz's recent journey to Riyadh, also the capital of Saudi Arabia, as part of the United Nations Tourism Organization (UNWTO) conference. Minister Katz's visit marked a historic occasion as he became the first Israeli minister to lead an official delegation to the Kingdom. In his remarks, Minister Katz expressed excitement about this groundbreaking event, highlighting its potential to bolster the Israeli economy and contribute to regional stability. He expressed confidence in Prime Minister Netanyahu's ability to navigate Israel towards prosperity and success.
