Gantz at AIPAC: I won’t let Israel become a partisan issue

”Under my leadership, Israel will never become a partisan issue,” Gantz said in English. “I will work effectively on both sides of the aisle.”

By LAHAV HARKOV
Benny Gantz, leader of Blue and White party, speaks during an election campaign rally in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, Israel, February 25, 2020. (photo credit: REUTERS/CORINNA KERN)
Benny Gantz, leader of Blue and White party, speaks during an election campaign rally in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, Israel, February 25, 2020.
(photo credit: REUTERS/CORINNA KERN)
WASHINGTON – Blue and White leader Benny Gantz on Sunday vowed to work with Democrats and Republicans if he becomes prime minister.
“Under my leadership, Israel will never become a partisan issue,” he told the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington via video link. “I will work effectively on both sides of the aisle.”
The key issue on which Gantz said he plans to work with AIPAC and American politicians who support Israel is preventing Iran from attaining nuclear weapons.
“I will prevent a nuclear Iran,” he said. “I am ready to do whatever it takes with this issue.”
Gantz gave his video address in English days after he fired former campaign strategist Yisrael Bachar. In recordings leaked to the media last week, Bachar said Gantz does not have the courage to attack Iran if necessary.
Gantz also said he would stop the terrorist rocket attacks the South.
“If Israel’s citizens don’t have quite, no one else will,” he said.
Gantz said he would work toward peace and touted US President Donald Trump’s peace plan as promising and a “strategic solution.”
“Israel’s hand will be extended in friendship to everyone who seeks true peace,” he said.
Regarding speculation he would rely on the Joint List’s political support, Gantz said, without mentioning the Arab bloc by name, he would “form a government only with partners who share my vision and [will] keep extremists out of our Knesset.”
Gantz reiterated his message of reconciliation, which he has emphasized to the Israeli electorate in recent days.
“I entered politics because I fear for our internal unity,” he said. “Our nation, which prevailed over every enemy time and time again by sticking together, was being torn apart. Not under my watch.”
“As prime minister, I will not let others rewrite our history, undermine our democratic values or change who we are,” Gantz said. “I will fight to keep Israel a country we can be proud of. I will ensure Israel remains secure, Jewish and democratic.”


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