After Israel fight, McMaster dines with Israeli leaders as Bannon falls

National security adviser wins battle against alt-Right firebrand Bannon.

By MICHAEL WILNER
Updated: AUGUST 20, 2017 00:31
National Security Adviser Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster. (photo credit: REUTERS)
National Security Adviser Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
WASHINGTON - Hours before Donald Trump’s chief of staff told Steve Bannon that his time in the White House had come to an end, H.R.
McMaster, the president’s national security adviser and Bannon’s West Wing adversary, was all smiles before the cameras.
McMaster had survived a targeted attack against him orchestrated by Bannon’s allies on the far right – facilitated by conservative pundits and media websites – who claimed the three-star general was “deeply hostile” to the Jewish state.
The campaign forced Trump to come to McMaster’s defense, and was a factor in Bannon’s firing on Friday, The New York Times reported.
As the president prepared to relieve Bannon, McMaster hosted Israel’s national security team at the White House – and its senior leaders, including Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer and Mossad head Yossi Cohen, over to his house for a dress-down dinner on his porch.

Jason Greenblatt, the president’s special representative for international negotiations currently leading the administration’s talks with Israelis and Palestinians, attended the day’s meetings and posted photos of the White House summit and dinner on Twitter.

Greenblatt said: “McMaster led the meeting from our side, and we had a very productive discussion on our strong and continuing partnership.

“Important bilateral meeting,” he added.