Israel’s Gantz battles to preserve ties with Jordan Defense Minister Benny Gantz labors to repair damages caused by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Israel-Jordan relations. Retired Israeli Gen. Benny Gantz, one of the leaders of the Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) political alliance, speaks at the Jordan Valley site of Naharayim, also known as Baqura in Jordan, east of the Jordan River and which has been leased to Israel as part of the Israel-Jordan peace treaty, on Oct. 18, 2019. April 12, 2021 Israel’s embassy in Amman yesterday congratulated Jordanians and King Abdullah II on the occasion of 100 years since the founding of their state. A post on the embassy’s official Facebook page said, "The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, under the leadership of King Abdullah II, is a key player in the region and a key and strategic partner of Israel, promoting values of peace, moderation and tolerance. We wish The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan a prosperous future and will continue to promote our bilateral relations in various fields for the benefit of both of our peoples."