Gantz cuts off meeting with Netanyahu over Regev's comments - Inside Israel

Likud officials respond to minister's criticism of alternate prime minister. 'The campaign is over. It is time for unity.'

Likud officials responded to criticism by Minister Miri Regev of alternate prime minister and defense minister Benny Gantz in an interview with the Yediot Ahronot newspaper's '7 Days' supplement.

"The campaign is over and it is time for unity. It is time to stop the personal attacks on every side. The choices behind us and the joint tasks before us and we must join hands for the citizens of Israel," the senior officials said.

Channel 12 News reported that Gantz cut off a meeting with Netanyahu after he learned about the interview and told him in harsh words that this was unacceptable.

Earlier it was reported that Regev said in an interview about Gantz, "I think he is not ready to be prime minister. He is not ready. Let's see what happens in this year and a half. We'll see if he learns from the best and comes ripe for the job."

Regev also brought up the time Gantz's phone was hacked by Iran. "If there is such a tape and it exists, you should ask Defense Minister Benny Gantz if we have anything to fear."

The transportation minister was asked how she can speak this way about someone who currently serves as Israel's defense minister. "True, but at the end of the security helm it is in the hands of the prime minister. There is a cabinet and there they make the important decisions," she said.