US national security adviser meets with Bennett, Lapid, Gantz in Israel
Facing growing pressure from Jerusalem on the Vienna talks, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan met yesterday in Israel with President Isaac Herzog and today with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and Defense Minister Benny Gantz.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met today in Jerusalem with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and other senior US officials on a three-day visit to the region. Addressing the press ahead of the beginning of the encounter, Bennett said, “These days are pretty important. What happens in Vienna has profound ramifications for the stability of the Middle East and the security of Israel for the upcoming years. And that’s why it’s such a timely meeting.”
The meeting between Bennett and Sullivan took place on the backdrop of publications claiming that President Joe Biden has been ignoring requests by the Israeli premier for a phone call. Publications argued that tensions have grown lately between Washington and Jerusalem over the issue of West Bank settlements and also over divergences on the Vienna talks. According to some Israeli sources, the White House is adamant to reach a new agreement with Iran and is less inclined to follow pressure from Jerusalem to reinstate and increase sanctions against Tehran.
