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Trump Envoy Jason Greenblatt Greeted With Kosher Food At UAE Iftar Dinner

Jason Greenblatt, the adviser on negotiations to President Trump who is busy trying to re-start Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, was invited on Wednesday to an Iftar, the dinner ending the day of fasting during the Muslim month of Ramadan, at the residence of Yousef Al Otaiba, United Arab Emirates’ ambassador to Washington.

What Greenblatt found on his plate led him to pull out his phone and take a photo: It was a fully kosher dinner, brought in especially for him. “Thank you Amb. Al Otaiba for inviting me to the Iftar dinner at @UAEEmbassyUS & for providing me with kosher food. Ramadan Kareem!” Greenblatt tweeted, using the Arabic blessing for a happy Ramadan.

It remains to be seen whether the incident was a sign of further warming of relations with Gulf countries, or just a simple gesture toward an observant Jewish dignitary.

Contact Nathan Guttman at [email protected] or on Twitter @nathanguttman

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