Steve Witkoff: Trump's real estate tycoon allied between Israel and Russia
Billionaire Witkoff, a friend of Trump, negotiates crucial international agreements between the Middle East and Russia, arousing controversy and admiration.
by An.Man.
3' min read
Key points
3' min read
He closely monitored the negotiations between Israel and Hamas at the end of January, brought the result home, and a month later was sent to Moscow to talk to Vladimir Putin and get Professor Marc Fogel, an American guilty of carrying marijuana for medicinal purposes, released.
A few hours later it was announced the phone call between Donald Trump and Putin and the start of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. That of Steve Witkoff, special envoy for the Middle East, seems a winning choice.
Like many of Trump's choices, Witkoff completely lacks experience, he is not a diplomat but a wealthy New York businessman specialising in real estate development; founder of the Witkoff Group, owner of mansions in London, Miami, New York, he boasts a net worth of $500 million.
During the negotiations for the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, one day Witkoff contacted Netanyahu's office to finalise the agreement, but the aides told him that the Israeli leader could not be disturbed on Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported. Witkoff replied "in plain English", saying he did not care what day it was. Netanyahu obeyed.
"We have people who know everything about the Middle East, but can't speak properly... he's a great negotiator," Trump said of his friend. On another occasion, the tycoon praised him even more explicitly, "Steve is a highly respected leader in business and philanthropy and has made every project and community he has been involved in stronger and more prosperous," he said, "Steve will be a tireless voice for PEACE and will make us all proud."
