President Donald Trump’s international negotiations adviser, Jason Greenblatt, arrived in Israel earlier this week for meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem and Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.
Prior to his White House role, Greenblatt, an Orthodox Jew from Teaneck, N.J., worked as a real estate lawyer with Trump over the course of the past two decades. He also advised Trump on Israel during last year’s election campaign.
The stated purpose of Greenblatt’s trip is to restart negotiations between Israel and the PA, and to explore new strategies for advancing Middle East peace.
During his visit, Greenblatt is also scheduled to meet with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, opposition leader Isaac Herzog, acting National Security Council head Yaakov Nagel and Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) head Maj.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai.
Greenblatt’s meetings come just days after Trump spoke with Abbas and invited the Palestinian leader to visit the White House “in the near future.” During the conversation with Abbas, Trump also “emphasized his personal belief that peace is possible and that the time has come to make a deal,” according to the White House.
Originally posted at JNS.
