Gantz Departs for Washington for Personal Meeting With Trump on Mideast Peace Deal

Benny Gantz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's chief political rival, departed Sunday morning for Washington ahead of his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday.

Gantz and Trump are expected to discuss the diplomatic portion of the U.S. administration's Mideast peace plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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Hijacking the Holocaust for Putin, politics and powerHaaretz Weekly Ep. 57

Asked by the Kan public broadcaster whether he will discuss the long-awaited plan with Trump or wait until after Israel's general March 2 election, Gantz replied "We'll hear about the plan from Trump, we'll talk, but what will be said inside the room will remain in the room."

Netanyahu also departed for the U.S. on Sunday at 2:00 P.M. Israel time and is expected to land in Washington in the early morning hours of Monday. Thus, he may still be airborne as some details of the peace plan are revealed by the Trump administration prior to the meeting.

"Five years ago I appeared before congress in Washington because I had to stand up to a plan developed by an American president," Netanyahu said in reference to the Iran nuclear deal signed between former President Barack Obama and Teheran.

"I've believed that plan jeopardized Israel's mere existence. Today I'm headed to bring back a plan, which I believe will advance Israel's interests. On Tuesday we'll make History," Netanyahu said. 

Netanyahu was originally scheduled to meet with Trump on Tuesday. However, after it was announced that Gantz would hold a private meeting with the U.S. president on Monday, a senior Israeli official said the premier would also sit down with Trump on Monday in addition to their audience the day after.