Sep 20, 2019 - World

Trump's Middle East envoy to meet Benny Gantz

Barak Ravid

Jason Greenblatt, President Trump's Middle East envoy, plans to meet next week with Benny Gantz, the leader of the Blue and White Party that won this week's Israeli elections, Blue and White officials tell me.

Why it matters: This will be the first time a senior White House official meets Gantz since he entered politics a year ago, and the first recognition of Gantz as an important political player in Israel.

Until recently, the Trump administration had contact mainly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his office, maintaining communication with Gantz and his party through working-level embassy officials.

What they're saying: A statement from Gantz's office said the U.S. embassy asked to set a meeting between Greenblatt and Gantz in the next few days and that the meeting will be scheduled soon.

Go deeper: Trump's Middle East envoy meets with Netanyahu after election loss

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Trump's Middle East envoy to meet Benny Gantz

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