From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Trump’s envoy says president will push for ‘courageous diplomacy, prosperity’ in Mideast
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
Introducing US President Donald Trump at a post-inauguration rally in Washington, new Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff lays out his boss’s four-pronged approach to the region.
“One: respect for sovereignty. Every nation deserves the right to determine its own destiny, free from the interference of external powers,” Witkoff says.
“Two: economic prosperity as a bridge to stability. Through economic partnerships and investment, we can build a foundation for cooperation that transcends historical grievances,” he goes on.
“Three: courageous diplomacy. Real progress requires difficult conversations and bold decisions, and it is through these that trust is built and maintained.”
“Four: reciprocity and accountability. The United States requires reciprocal actions from our partners. We are done carrying the financial burden for nations that are unwilling to fund their own progress. The days of blank checks are over,” Wiktoff says to cheers from the crowd.
“THE DAYS OF BLANK CHECKS ARE OVER” – Special Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff says we will stop funding countries who won’t fund their own progress pic.twitter.com/ztipCVVMVd
— Liam McCollum (@MLiamMcCollum) January 20, 2025
“A stable and prosperous Middle East is not an unattainable dream. It is a goal within our reach,” he continues, pledging to expand the Abraham Accords during Trump’s second term.
