Jared Kushner, the former White House adviser and son-in-law of Donald Trump, expressed admiration for the potential of Gaza’s “waterfront property.” He referred to it as “very valuable,” indicating that Israel should consider relocating civilians while it focuses on revitalizing the area.
In a recent interview with the Middle East Initiative, a program of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, Jared Kushner highlighted the untapped potential of Gaza’s waterfront property. He emphasized the value that could be unlocked if efforts were directed towards building sustainable livelihoods in the region. Kushner lamented the significant investments made in the tunnel network and munitions, suggesting that redirecting these resources towards education and innovation could have yielded remarkable outcomes.
“It’s quite unfortunate, but I believe Israel should prioritize relocating the people affected and then focus on the cleanup process,” Kushner explained. “However, it’s important to note that Israel has not expressed any opposition to allowing the residents to return once the situation is resolved.”
In response to the criticism he received, Jared Kushner took to X on Tuesday to address those who were selectively using parts of his remarks. He shared a video of the entire interaction and emphasized his unwavering stance. He firmly believes that the lives of the Palestinian people will only improve if the international community and their citizens begin to demand accountability from their leadership.
Around 1.5 million Palestinians who have been displaced are currently seeking shelter in the southern Gaza town of Rafah. This situation has arisen as a result of Israel’s efforts to eradicate Hamas in response to a deadly attack carried out by the militant group on October 7th. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to the tragic loss of over 30,000 Palestinian lives and has left more than 70,000 individuals wounded in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to send a team of Israeli officials to Washington to discuss the potential Rafah operation with officials from the Biden administration. The discussions between the two sides are aimed at exploring the possibilities and implications of this operation.
President Joe Biden and Netanyahu held talks on Monday, marking their first interaction in over a month. The decision to engage in such discussions comes amidst a growing divide between the allies over the food crisis in Gaza and Israel’s conduct during the war. The White House confirmed that the talks, set to take place in the coming days, will involve military, intelligence, and humanitarian experts. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan expressed his expectations for these discussions.
The Israel-Hamas war has become a significant topic in this year’s U.S. presidential election, creating divisions between Biden and Trump, as well as within their respective parties.
Jared Kushner was involved in various matters and policies during his time in the Trump administration, with a particular focus on Middle East peace initiatives. In a recent statement, Kushner expressed his lack of interest in returning to the White House in the event that Donald Trump, who is now the presumptive GOP nominee for the 2024 presidential election, is re-elected. Instead, he emphasized his dedication to his investment business and his desire to live a private life in Florida with his family.
