Pentagon says Israeli defense minister has postponed visit to Washington

The Pentagon says Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant has postponed his trip to Washington, which was scheduled for Wednesday, without providing further details.

“We were just informed that Minister Gallant will be postponing his trip to Washington, DC. Secretary Austin looks forward to seeing him soon,” Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said during a briefing.

Israeli media and journalists reported that the trip was scrapped because of a scuffle with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu reportedly wanted Gallant’s support for an Israeli cabinet decision to approve a response to last week’s attack by Iran.

Netanyahu is also reportedly not allowing Gallant to represent his government until he can speak to US President Joe Biden. Biden has been frustrated with Netanyahu for leaving him and other US officials in the dark about military plans in Gaza and, lately, in Lebanon.