Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized his rival, wartime cabinet minister Benny Gantz, for traveling to the United States without permission to meet with officials, according to reports.

“The Prime Minister made this clear to Mr. Gantz.'' [Friday] The night he did not approve the trip to Washington. Ministers need the prime minister's approval if they wish to make an official visit abroad, rather than in a private capacity,'' said a senior official close to Netanyahu, who declined to be named. Haaretz.

Officials from Prime Minister Netanyahu's Likud party also told the Associated Press. Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly held a “tough meeting” with Gantz and told him that the country “only has one prime minister.”

Still, Gantz continued on his journey. Published in X (Formerly Twitter) On Sunday, he met with the board of directors of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

“I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Board of Directors for their important work, especially since October 7, in strengthening the alliance between Israel and the United States and combating the alarming levels of anti-Semitism across the United States. I told him,” he added.

Gantz spoke with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris about reducing Palestinian civilian casualties in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, achieving a temporary ceasefire, securing the release of hostages in Hamas hands, and providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. Reuters first reported. Gantz also told Reuters in a statement that he planned to meet with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Republican and Democratic members of Congress. (Related: Prime Minister appears to respond after Biden criticizes 'incredibly conservative government')

Prime Minister Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden have recently appeared at odds over the ongoing war. Biden said late last Monday. During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, he said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's “incredibly conservative government” could cause Israel to “lose support around the world.” Prime Minister Netanyahu responded late Tuesday.,”[F]”Five in five Americans support Israel and do not support Hamas.” Harvard University CAPS/Harris Poll “This will help us continue the campaign until complete victory,” he added.

Some analysts believe Gantz's visit to the United States means both. his and Washington's There is a clear lack of trust in Prime Minister Netanyahu. Senior Arab diplomats have met with Gantz, not Netanyahu, and consider him a “responsible adult in Russia.” [the Israeli] government,” according to Eyes of the Middle East.Some 42% of Israeli poll respondents favored Gantz over Netanyahu for the prime ministership, and 29% favored Netanyahu over Gantz, The Times of Israel said. report.

Biden also called for the release of the hostages on his late-night show, adding that there was “an agreement, at least in principle, that there would be a ceasefire for the duration of the ceasefire” and that Israeli authorities had agreed not to fight during Ramadan. “This is to give us time to rescue all the hostages.”