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Kushner heading to Jerusalem amid Israel’s political deadlock

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Kushner is set to arrive on the heels of Benny Gantz receiving the mandate to form a government, which would prevent an unprecedented third round of elections.

By World Israel News Staff

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner will be meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz in Israel next week.

According to multiple Israeli reports, Trump’s son-in-law will not be coming to reveal the details of the president’s Mideast peace plan, but rather to get a better grasp on the tumultuous political wrangling currently gripping Israel.

Kushner will be accompanied by Brian Hook, a State Department special representative for Iran, and Avi Berkowitz, the new special envoy for the Middle East.

The Trump administration has been on the record saying it won’t release the long-anticipated peace plan until after Israel’s second round of elections.

However, the peace plan might be delayed until after a third election, with the formation of a new government in Israel remaining an elusive goal.

Gantz was given the mandate to form a government by Israeli president Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday after Netanyahu announced on Monday that he had failed to form a ruling coalition.

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Both Gantz and Netanyahu say they favor a national unity government, and their parties combined control a solid 65-seat majority.

However, the two men are arguing over who should become the next prime minister.

Another point of contention remains Netanyahu’s  demand that his right-wing allies be a part of the new government, a condition that Gantz has repeatedly rejected.

Gantz’s road to becoming the next prime minister will be difficult without Netanyahu’s Likud party.

He would need the support of the Arab Joint List, which has publicly stated that it will not join a coalition. He would also need the support of Israel Beitenu’s leader Avigdor Liberman, who has been steadfast in his refusal to sit in a coalition that includes any Arab or haredi parties.

If Gantz is unsuccessful in his attempts to form a government within 28 days, then Israel will head back to the polls for an unprecedented third round of elections.

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