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Tensions increase at highest levels of Israel’s leadership

Tensions between Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid keep increasing, destabilizing the already fragile coalition.
Israel's incoming Prime Minister Naftali Bennett gives an address before the new Cabinet, accompanied by Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and Defense Minister Benny Gantz at the Knesset, Jerusalem, June 13, 2021.

“I don’t know who tried to blow up the meeting with [Jordanian King] Abdullah and [Palestinian President] Mahmoud Abbas. I want to continue working on security affairs and the diplomatic aspects of those security affairs. Anyone who sends soldiers into battle must ensure that every diplomatic effort was made first.”

This was the first public response by Defense Minister Benny Gantz to recent reports that Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid went behind his back and spoke with regional leaders, in an alleged effort to thwart a conference in Ramallah that he was planning for this week. Gantz made his remarks in a primetime interview at 8 p.m. on Channel 12 News. He was effectively confirming the reports.

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