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New US special Mideast envoy Berkowitz meets Netanyahu to discuss peace effort

U.S. Special Representative for International Negotiations Avi Berkowitz, on his first visit to Israel since succeeding Jason Greenblatt, is expected to also meet with Blue and White leader Benny Gantz.

U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Special Representative for the Middle East Avi Berkowitz in the White House, January 2020. Credit: Courtesy.
U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Special Representative for the Middle East Avi Berkowitz in the White House, January 2020. Credit: Courtesy.

Avi Berkowitz, U.S. President Donald Trump’s new special representative for international negotiations, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to discuss the rollout of the Trump administration’s peace plan.

Also attending the meeting was U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman.

This is Berkowitz’s first visit to Israel since he assumed the position in November, succeeding Jason Greenblatt.

There is speculation that the Trump administration might roll out its long-anticipated plan before Israel’s March 2 elections.

Though the meeting has not yet been announced, Berkowitz is also expected to meet with Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz before returning to Washington.

The meeting between Berkowitz and Netanyahu follows senior Trump adviser Jared Kushner’s meeting with both Netanyahu and Gantz in October.

“This is, thank God, the seventh time they have unsuccessfully tried to eliminate me,” said Israel’s national security minister.
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