Kushner, Greenblatt expected to visit Middle East this week
During their meetings with the leaders of the three countries, Kushner and Greenblatt, are expected to discuss only the economic component of the plan, without addressing the political part.
By OMRI NAHMIASUS Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt, Senior Advisor Jared Kushner, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Israeli ambassador to the US Ron Dermer during a meeting in Jerusalem June 22 2018. (photo credit: GPO)
WASHINGTON – The peace team, headed by US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy to the Middle East Jason Greenblatt, is heading to Israel to discuss the Bahrain summit, an administration official told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.Kushner and Greenblatt will arrive in Jerusalem on Thursday, after Netanyahu’s deadline to form a coalition. That way, the two will visit Israel when the political situation is clear.During their meetings with the leaders of the three countries, Kushner and Greenblatt are expected to discuss only the economic component of the plan, without addressing the political part.The administration is moving forward with planning the Bahrain workshop, regardless of the political situation in Israel. Few countries already announced their participation at the summit that will take place on June 25 in Manama, and other countries are expected to do so in the upcoming days.Last week, the peace team announced that the economic component of the “Deal of the Century” will be revealed during the two-day workshop in Bahrain. According to Israeli media, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon is expected to lead the Israeli delegation.Hundreds of businesspeople, mostly from the Middle East, are said to take part in the summit as well. Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the UAE confirmed that they would send a delegation, while other countries such as Russia, China and Turkey decided not to take part of the summit.The Palestinians were the first to announce their intention to boycott the event. PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said last week that the Palestinians and their leaders were not seeking an improvement of living conditions “under the occupation.”Greenblatt reacted to Shtayyeh’s words and told the Post: “It’s difficult to understand why the Palestinian Authority would reject a workshop designed to discuss a vision with the potential to radically transform lives and put people on a path toward a brighter future.“Palestinians deserve dignity, opportunity, and a better way of life,” Greenblatt added. “Also, by encouraging Palestinians to reject the workshop, the PA is shamefully trying to block their path toward a better future. History will judge the Palestinian Authority harshly for passing up any opportunity that could give the Palestinians something so very different, and something so very positive, compared to what they have today.”
