Jerusalem mayor meets US peace envoy at White House after Mideast tour

Barkat’s spokesperson said the mayor and Greenblatt “discussed Jerusalem issues.”

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
Published: MARCH 26, 2017 13:56

Updated: MARCH 27, 2017 00:57
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and Jason Greenblatt meet at the White House (photo credit: TWITTER/JASON GREENBLATT)
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and Jason Greenblatt meet at the White House
(photo credit: TWITTER/JASON GREENBLATT)
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat met with Jason Greenblatt, President Donald Trump’s special envoy for peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, at the White House on Friday.
While details of the meeting were not disclosed, Barkat’s representative said the mayor and Greenblatt “discussed Jerusalem issues.”
Barkat has been an outspoken advocate for relocating the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. While Trump strongly supported the move during his campaign, he has since distanced himself from the matter.
In a brief statement, Barkat praised Greenblatt for being a true friend of the capital and said he is “important for strengthening Jerusalem.”
Prior to being appointed to his present role, Greenblatt was the executive vice president and chief legal officer of the Trump Organization.
Trump"s envoy Jason Greenblatt meets Netanyahu (credit: REUTERS)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Greenblatt earlier this month to discuss settlement construction policy and other matters pertaining to the Palestinian conflict.
During the meeting, Netanyahu stressed that the policy “will be acceptable to us as well, not just to the American side.”
He also spoke of his commitment to the former residents of the Amona outpost, which was evacuated in January after the government and the residents of the settlement failed to reach an agreement.