Jason Greenblatt: 'there is no such thing' as an honest mediator
He added that "there has never been an honest mediator for this conflict. In the end, what will end the conflict is a political plan that both sides can agree to."
By OMRI NAHMIASU.S. Envoy for Middle East negotiations Jason Greenblatt on a visit in Israel(photo credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS)
WASHINGTON - Jason Greenblatt, the Special Representative for International Negotiations, said Monday that "there is no such thing" as an honest mediator. During an interview to Israel's Walla News, Greenblatt was asked if he understands why the Palestinians won't consider him an honest broker for a peace deal.He added that "there has never been an honest mediator for this conflict. In the end, what will end the conflict is a political plan that both sides can agree to.""There is no country; no international organization or particular peace envoy who can mediate this conflict. We are not a judge; we are not a jury; we are not here to force anything, and nobody can. The mindset of a so-called honest mediator never existed and will never exist," he said.Asked about his participation in a ceremony to open a tunnel under the Palestinian village of Silwan,Greenblatt said that "not dealing with history or pretend it doesn't exist never helped with the peace process. This isn't an issue of sovereignty. It's an issue of archeology. Whitewashing Jewish history in Jerusalem undermined the chances for peace."
