"He's Getting Back at Us"
Israeli Fury Erupts Over Trump's Jewish Son-in-Law Jared Kushner
Say what you want, Jared Kushner is definitely a little bit shady, with massive oil interests of his own. Is he really on Israel's side or is he only on Team Jared?
The post-Trump Gaza plan drama just got a concerning dose of family intrigue. Israeli officials are seething, pointing the blame straight at Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's Jewish son-in-law, for the U.S. announcement of a new national committee to manage the Gaza Strip. The accusation? Pure revenge against Israel for slamming the door on reopening the Rafah crossing. This political finger-pointing comes hot on the heels of Trump's big reveal, and it's stirring up a storm in Jerusalem's tight-knit cabinet circles.
The Blame Game: Kushner in the Crosshairs
Senior Israeli sources, as reported today (Sunday) by Yehuda Schlesinger in Walla, aren't mincing words. During a closed-door meeting of the narrowed-down security cabinet, attendees outright accused Kushner of orchestrating the committee's formation, one that includes Turkey and Qatar, much to Israel's chagrin.Why the vendetta? Insiders claim it's payback for Israel's steadfast refusal to reopen the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza. Unlike other key Trump administration figures, such as Secretary of State Rubio and War Secretary Pete Hegseth, Kushner reportedly views the regional dynamics through a lens that's worlds apart from Israel's perspective.
Kushner's Midnight Tweet: Blessing or Salt in the Wound?
Last night, Kushner took to social media to hail the launch of Gaza's executive committee, declaring that "the hard work is just beginning." He quoted from the committee's mission statement: "We are committed to establishing security, restoring essential services that form the foundation of human dignity such as electricity, water, health services, and education, and fostering a society rooted in peace, democracy, and justice. The NCAG, operating to the highest standards of integrity and transparency, will create a productive economy capable of replacing unemployment with opportunities for all."
He didn't stop there, adding another snippet: "We embrace peace, through which we aspire to secure the path to genuine Palestinian rights and self-determination."
Israel's Outrage: Turkey and Qatar? No Thanks
As a reminder, Israel is livid about the committee's makeup, which ropes in representatives from Turkey and Qatar, flying directly in the face of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's repeated vows that these nations would have zero involvement in Gaza's post-war governance.
The Prime Minister's Office fired off a statement last night: "The announcement regarding the composition of Gaza's executive committee, subordinate to the Peace Conference, was not coordinated with Israel and contradicts its policy. The Prime Minister has instructed the Foreign Minister to address this matter with the U.S. Secretary of State."
Breaking Down the New Setup
The Peace Council members will handle overall oversight of Trump's plan, focusing on big-picture stuff like rallying international resources, coordinating between countries, and setting broad policies for Gaza's reconstruction and peace promotion. Meanwhile, a separate entity, the "Executive Council for Gaza." will supervise on-the-ground implementation and keep tabs on the new Palestinian technocratic government.
This whole saga underscores the tricky tightrope Israel is walking with its closest ally, especially as Middle East tensions simmer. Will diplomatic channels smooth this over, or is this just the opening act in a longer showdown?