Pompeo & Kushner both due to visit Israel, Gulf Arab states this week
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected in Jerusalem on Monday to discuss with PM Binyamin Netanyahu follow-up steps deriving from the landmark normalization deal with the UAE. He will also meet FM Gaby Ashkenazi. On the Iran issue, Pompeo notified the UN Security Council on Thursday that US will impose “snapback” sanctions on Iran, which are permitted when Tehran fails to comply with the terms of the 2015 nuclear accord. This US step, backed by Israel, is strongly opposed by Europe and other signatories. Pompeo will then travel to Abu Dhabi to meet with the UAE ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and continue the administration’s push to add more Arab states to the landmark normalization process.
Later this week, President Trump’s s adviser Jared Kushner touches down in Israel, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Morocco, accompanied by Peace Envoy Avi Berkowitz and other senior presidential advisers.