City
Epaper

Israeli PM's main rival accepts invitation to WH

By IANS | Updated: January 26, 2020 09:15 IST

Benny Gantz, the main political rival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has accepted an invitation to visit the White House and announced that he will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss a Middle East peace plan.

Open in App

Addressing the media on Saturday, Gantz said he will meet Trump on Monday, a day before the US President is scheduled to meet Netanyahu to discuss the same plan, reports Xinhua news agency.

"The plan will be a major cornerstone that defines the way the different sides can make their way towards a historic, regional agreement," Gantz said.

Initially the US invitation was for both Gantz and Netanyahu to meet Trump together.

But according to sources, Gantz was reluctant to be seen at the White House alongside Netanyahu.

The timing of the publication of the US peace plan, or the "Deal of the Century" as dubbed by Trump, is controversial.

Israel is slated to hold general elections in March and an interim government does not have the mandate to make far-reaching decisions on matters such as the country's future borders.

The Palestin have not been part of the talks on the plan.

Several Israeli commentators and politic see the US' decision to unveil the plan in the coming days as a welcome respite for Netanyahu.

The Prime Minister has been indicted on corruption charges and his request for immunity from trial is supposed to be discussed at the Israeli Parliament the same time when he is in Washington.

The plan is believed to be very favourable to the right-wing Israeli government.

"This is a historic opportunity that must not be missed," Netanyahu tweeted on Saturday night.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: Netanyahuusisrael
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalIdaho Shooting: 2 Shot at Shoshone County Sheriff's Office in Wallace; Suspect Killed

Social ViralSanta Spotted in US Skies? Netizens Report Red Sleigh Seen Over Multiple Cities (Watch Videos)

InternationalNorth Carolina Plane Crash: Retired NASCAR Driver Greg Biffle and Family Among Seven Killed in Statesville Jet Crash

International'Warrior Dividend': Donald Trump Announces $1,776 Christmas Bonus to Active US Soldiers

BusinessUS Stock Exchange Nasdaq Moves Toward 24-Hour Trading, How Will Impact on Indian Share Market

International Realted Stories

InternationalSaudi-led coalition says shipment arriving at Yemeni port carried weapons, ammunition

InternationalUN launches 1.71 billion USD humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan in 2026

InternationalRubio discusses Yemen with UAE, Saudi leaders

InternationalUS conducts covert drone strike on Venezuela port in first such attack

InternationalThieves drill into German bank vault, steal Euro 30 million in overnight heist