Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

New Mideast Envoy Is Old Hand at Peacemaking

Israel-Palestine negotiations just 'another assignment' for Mitchell

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 24, 2009 10:44 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – As the Obama administration’s new Middle East envoy, former Sen. George Mitchell has  the toughest of diplomatic tasks on his hands: negotiating peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. But “if anyone can succeed in this difficult endeavor," it's Mitchell, said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Mitchell was instrumental in Northern Ireland peace talks—and he’s faced a range of other battles including steroid use in baseball and corporate infighting, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Mitchell is noted for creative peacemaking tactics: In Northern Ireland, for example, he forced quarreling leaders to eat together without discussing politics; and when a deadline approached, he sped a resolution by threatening to leave the next day regardless of the result, the Boston Globe reports. The former senator is known for neutrality and compromise. In a previous Middle East deal, “neither side was entirely happy, and that was a good thing,” said a Palestinian negotiator.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton takes center stage with President Obama, VP Biden, and George Mitchell, right, and Special Rep. to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke, left, Jan. 22, 2009.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton takes center stage with President Obama, VP Biden, and George Mitchell, right, and Special Rep. to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke, left, Jan. 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Barack Obama looks on as Middle East envoy George Mitchell speaks at the State Department in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009.
President Barack Obama looks on as Middle East envoy George Mitchell speaks at the State Department in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
In this Dec. 14, 2007, file photo, former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell is interviewed by the Associated Press, in New York.
In this Dec. 14, 2007, file photo, former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell is interviewed by the Associated Press, in New York.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

A Northern Ireland endorsement
Belfast Telegraph

Fast Mitchell facts
Time

 
Israel • Northern Ireland • Palestine • George Mitchell • Mideast envoy • negotiations • Arab Israeli conflict • Northern Ireland peace deal

More Newser Stories

Israel to Free Bombers, Killers in Soldier Swap

Israel OKs 1,100 More Homes in East Jerusalem

Gaza Militants OK Israel Cease-Fire

Gaza Fires Rockets as Israeli Airstrikes Continue

Israel Retaliates, Kills 6 in Gaza
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne