Jason Greenblatt

U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman (left) with White House Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt (center) and Senator Lindsey Graham seen during the opening ceremony of an the Pilgrimage Road at the City of David archaeological site in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, June 30, 2019. (Flash90)

Using archeology in the service of nationalism

The inauguration of a supposed ancient Jewish ‘Pilgrimage Road’ by Ambassador David Friedman and White House envoy Jason Greenblatt is a reminder that archeology is never as neutral as some would like to believe. By Chemi Shiff and Yonathan Mizrachi We tend to think of archeology as a neutral discipline. Archeologists dig up artifacts, date them, and try to build…

By +972 Magazine July 5, 2019

Israeli settlers demonstrate and block Road 60, where two Israeli soldiers were killed near the Givat Assaf outpost in the occupied West Bank, December 13, 2018. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

Settlers attack Palestinian civilians following deadly shootings

After a string of shootings left three Israelis dead, hundreds of settlers block roads across the West Bank, harassing Palestinian drivers and damaging their vehicles. By Meron Rapoport Israeli settlers threw stones at and blocked Palestinian vehicles late last week, hours after a Palestinian gunman killed two soldiers outside a settlement outpost near Ramallah. Hundreds of settlers blocked roads across…

By +972 Magazine December 16, 2018

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Jason Greenblatt, Donald Trump's White House envoy to the Middle East, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, March 13, 2017. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

Debunking the myth: White House envoy Jason Greenblatt is no moderate

Long hailed as the ‘moderate’ voice among Trump’s envoys to the Middle East, Jason Greenblatt’s blanket support for the Israeli government has disqualified him from playing any meaningful role as a fair arbitrator. By Aaron Magid A growing understanding has emerged that amidst the hardline statements of U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, there is still a responsible…

By +972 Magazine April 16, 2018

Latest

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the 72nd session of United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters, New York. (Amir Levy/Flash90)

Give the people what they want: Palestinians take a step toward unity

With Russian involvement, American support, and Israel's tacit agreement, the Palestinians are taking active steps toward national reconciliation.

By Menachem Klein October 3, 2017

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands after giving final remarks at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem before Trump's departure, May 23, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

The Trump effect hits Gaza

No, Trump did not create the rift between the PA and Hamas. But he has bought into the Israeli narrative, thus creating an environment that encourages more aggressive steps by stronger parties. The most dangerous part? Trump surely has no idea he did any of this. By Mitchell Plitnick The effects of Donald Trump’s trip…

By +972 Magazine July 3, 2017

Jewish Home head Naftali Bennett leads a party faction meeting at the Knesset, December 12, 2016. Bennett rejects the Palestinian of a Palestinian state under any framework, yet the U.S. has not boycotted him. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

A Palestinian’s first-class seat next to Naftali Bennett

A free airline upgrade leaves a Palestinian sitting next to one of the Israeli government’s most right-wing nationalists — who went on to make some revealing comments about Trump, the peace process and his colleagues in the Knesset. By Jamil Dakwar Earlier this month, I was flying home to New York from Atlanta, Georgia after…

By +972 Magazine May 25, 2017

A Palestinian photographer standing during a minute of silence commemorating the Nakba, during a ceremony held by Palestinian and Israeli students in the entrance to the Tel Aviv University. Rightwing vigil protesting the ceremony and policemen are seen in the background. May 13, 2013 (photo: Yotam Ronen / Activestills)

Pro-Israel and racist? Palestinians aren’t surprised in the slightest

Though it may have sparked debate in the Jewish-American community, the idea that Israel can be a cause célèbre for white nationalists is hardly news to Palestinians, whose very existence vies with a state steeped in European, colonial racism. Since his appointment last week as chief White House strategist, sensationalist media maven Steve Bannon—whose editorial…

By Samer Badawi November 20, 2016

An Israeli settler youth living in a confiscated Palestinian home in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah covers his face with the Israeli flag, September 2, 2011. (photo: Ryan Rodrick Beiler/Activestills.org)

Trump is the president settlers could only dream of

Although U.S. policy toward Israeli settlements has fluctuated over time, successive American officials have consistently taken a dim view of the settlement movement. Trump and his advisors may change all that very soon. By Derek Davison Although President-elect Donald Trump and his foreign policy team are only beginning to develop their agenda for his coming administration,…

By +972 Magazine November 13, 2016