Jared Kushner is stepping back into the political scene as President Trump’s special envoy focused on Middle East peace, which highlights his influential connections in the region as well as his increasing business interests.
Kushner, who is Trump’s son-in-law and served as a senior adviser during the first term, had been relatively quiet during Trump’s recent administration but is now taking a notable role in a major foreign policy agenda.
President Trump remarked during a Cabinet meeting, “I appointed Jared because he’s incredibly smart, familiar with the region, and understands many key players.”
Taking the lead with special envoy Steve Witkoff, Kushner was instrumental in a peace agreement meant to secure the release of 20 hostages held by Hamas since the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. In exchange, Israel would halt its military action in Gaza.
While Kushner does not hold an official position in the current administration, he is acting as an informal adviser to Witkoff, who keeps him updated on ongoing efforts. His engagement has notably increased as a substantial agreement appears imminent, according to two U.S. officials commenting on a conference call.
Both Kushner and Witkoff were pivotal in designing Trump’s extensive peace plan aimed at resolving the conflict. They were dispatched to Egypt to finalize the arrangement, following Trump’s announcement on Truth Social.
National Security Adviser and Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned, “They work well as a team, but face significant hurdles on their mission.”
Kushner, who re-entered the White House this year, is reportedly expanding his business dealings in Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. The White House has brushed off inquiries regarding possible conflicts with these business interests. Press Secretary Caroline Levitt labeled such questions “despicable” when a reporter raised concerns about Kushner’s involvement relative to his commercial ties.
“Jared is dedicating his time and efforts to support our government and the president in pursuit of global peace, which is commendable,” Levitt stated, emphasizing Kushner’s regional connections.
During Trump’s first term, Kushner established crucial relationships with Gulf partners, leading to the creation of a 181-page peace plan titled “Peace to Prosperity.” This plan aimed to foster economic growth for Palestinians to encourage political solutions, although it was sidelined. However, it contributed to the diplomatic achievement of the Abraham Accords in August 2020, where the U.S. persuaded Israel to forgo annexing West Bank territories in exchange for formal diplomatic relations with the UAE and Bahrain.
The Abraham Accords are often viewed as one of Trump’s most significant foreign policy achievements, and Kushner has expressed his disappointment that he wasn’t nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the agreements.
Since then, Kushner has maintained strong relations with Gulf states and founded Affinity Partners, a venture capital firm. It has reportedly raised $2 billion from Saudi investments and $1.2 billion from Qatar’s sovereign fund.
Recently, Kushner partnered with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund to push through a $55 billion acquisition deal involving Electronic Arts, complemented by contributions from the American private equity firm Silver Lake.
Kushner’s growing connections in the Gulf resonate with Trump’s aims to strengthen ties during his current term, marked by a significant overseas trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE in May.
Although Trump continues to discuss enhancing the Abraham Accords, he also acknowledges constraints, such as the need for an end to the war in Gaza and a realistic path to Palestinian statehood.
Kushner made a notable public appearance in August, participating in discussions with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the White House about rebuilding Gaza post-conflict.
Dennis Ross, a seasoned Middle East negotiator, reflected that Kushner’s meeting with Blair suggested significant behind-the-scenes coordination to devise this strategy.
The urgency of the plan spiked after Israel targeted Hamas leaders in Doha in September, driving Gulf states to negotiate ways to support an end to the warfare and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Ross identified Kushner as a critical driver for elevating the focus on this pressing issue, noting that both Kushner and Witkoff have collaborated more throughout Trump’s second term.
Concerns about Kushner’s non-governmental engagement were raised by Ghaith al-Omari, a seasoned fellow at the Washington Institute. He remarked that it suggests some internal governmental challenges as responsibilities typically held within the government are being taken on externally. Nonetheless, he acknowledged Kushner’s and Blair’s strong partnership and felt it gained traction at least among certain leadership levels in the region.
Kushner mentioned to the New York Times that both he and Witkoff were New York real estate developers prior to Trump’s political ascent, which he believes aids them in reaching consensus effectively.
Kushner stated, “Our experience as dealmakers allows us to truly grasp people’s perspectives and recognize the underlying dynamics of negotiations.” He contrasted this approach with that of historians or traditional diplomats, emphasizing the distinct nature of deal-making as a unique endeavor.
A senior U.S. official indicated that Kushner may resume a role as a “potential advisor” once the first phase of the peace deal concludes.
