US Special Envoy for the Middle East, Jason Greenblatt, has announced his resignation. The 53-year-old said in Washington that he had a "life-defining honor" serving the White House.
Greenblatt did not name reasons for his resignation. Together with Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, he had worked out the plan for a peace solution between Israelis and Palestinians, which has so far been only partially published.
US President Trump thanked Greenblatt on Twitter. He was "a loyal and great friend and a fantastic lawyer". His commitment to the peace process would remain unforgotten. According to Trump, Greenblatt will work in the private sector in the future.
After almost 3 years in my administration, Jason Greenblatt wants to be in the private sector. Jason has been a loyal and great friend and fantastic lawyer ....
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 5 September 2019A senior government official said it was a friendly farewell. Greenblatt has the "confidence" of the president. He will now spend more time with his family. Greenblatt used to work for many years as a lawyer for the Trump Group.
The US government intends to submit its Middle East peace plan only in full after the early Israeli general election on 17 September. At a conference in Bahrain in June, Kushner had just presented the economic part. He envisions billions in investments in the Palestinian territories.
However, it is already known from the political part of the plan that this is not a question of a two-state solution, ie the goal of a Palestinian state of its own. That is why the plan is already met with fierce opposition from the Palestinians.