Schumer meets with senior Israeli official Gantz as US seeks path forward in Middle East conflict

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer met with a member of Israel’s war cabinet, Benny Gantz, on Tuesday at the Capitol as Congress pursues a path forward for additional aid.

Neither man took questions from assembled journalists as they shook hands. Schumer is the highest-ranking Jewish lawmaker in U.S. history.

Gantz is a top rival to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and made the trip in defiance of the longtime Israeli leader. He’s seen as a potential successor to Netanyahu and met with Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken will also meet with the Israeli official on Tuesday.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also met privately with Gantz on Tuesday. After the meeting, when asked by reporters how it went, Gantz replied, “Very good, thank you very much."

Gantz also huddled with members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday.