Gantz meets with Kushner to talk Israel-UAE deal, Iran

Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi meet with a delegation of Trump administration officials led by Jared Kushner for talks on the Israel-UAE normalization deal and Iran.

Gantz hails the agreement between Israel and the UAE and says he believes other countries will also establish ties with the Jewish state in the near future, according to a statement from his office. He says the Palestinians, who have denounced the UAE over the deal, should come back to the negotiation table.

The statement says Gantz also discussed with the US officials how to work together to ensure Israel’s military superiority in the region, in apparent reference to America’s possible sale of F-35 stealth fighters to the UAE, and how to counter Iran and prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

“I would like to personally thank Jared Kushner and the delegation for their constructive efforts to establish peace in our region and for the American commitment to Israeli security. I look forward to continuing to work together to advance the strategic interests and joint values shared by our countries,” Gantz is quoted as saying.