Analysis: Jared Kushner's Alternate Reality
Peter Bergen critiques Jared Kushner's recent remarks on Gaza's waterfront property as detached from reality, questioning the basis of his perspective on the situation.
Peter Bergen, CNN's national security analyst and vice president at New America, questions Jared Kushner's awareness. Jared Kushner is the author of "The Rise and Fall of Osama bin Laden" and also hosts the Audible podcast "In the Room" on Apple and Spotify. He is a professor of practice at Arizona State University. These views are his own and do not represent CNN's opinions. Read more commentary at CNN.
Kushner's recent comments about the valuable waterfront property in Gaza have drawn comparisons to Marie Antoinette's infamous statement, "Let them eat cake."
During an event at Harvard in February, the former Trump White House senior adviser highlighted the potential value of Gaza's waterfront real estate, despite reports of over half the buildings in Gaza being damaged or destroyed. Additionally, the UN has issued a warning about an imminent famine in northern Gaza.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington D.C, on March 12.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington D.C, on March 12.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
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At the Harvard event, Kushner proposed relocating the 1.4 million people sheltering in southern Gaza in Rafah to Egypt or the Negev desert in southern Israel to protect them from a possible Israeli attack. This idea seemed to align with Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to invade Rafah, which was approved by the Israeli prime minister.
Kushner's ideas are unrealistic because Egypt is unlikely to welcome a large number of Palestinian refugees, especially not the over one million living in Rafah, as they have stated multiple times. Additionally, Israel is not willing to accommodate them.
The attacks by Hamas on Israel on October 7th were wrong, and Israel was justified in retaliating.
Palestinian anger has been simmering for years, with Jared Kushner, then President Trump's unofficial Secretary of State, inadvertently contributing to it without realizing it.
During Kushner's time as the self-proclaimed Middle East peace negotiator, the construction of new Israeli settlements in the West Bank increased rapidly, as reported by The Associated Press. The Trump administration openly supported these settlements, going against long-standing US policy on the matter.
Members of the Al-Rabaya family are seen breaking their fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. They are outside their home, which was destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Rafah, Gaza Strip. The photo was taken on Monday, March 18, 2024, by Fatima Shbair. 
Fatima Shbair/AP
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The Trump administration relocated the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move that past administrations had refrained from taking. This decision was significant because Palestinians consider Jerusalem their capital as well, and Muslims hold it in high regard due to the al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem being the third most sacred site in Islam.
When the US embassy opened in Jerusalem, Kushner expressed hope for peace. However, at the same time, Israeli forces in Gaza were involved in deadly clashes with Palestinians protesting the embassy opening.
Kushner's "Abraham Accords" aimed to bring peace to the region by getting Arab states to recognize Israel. This recognition would lead to investments in Gaza and the West Bank, creating conditions for a two-state solution. Kushner simplifies the conflict as a mere "real estate dispute" in the Wall Street Journal.
President-elect Donald Trump hugs his son-in-law Jared Kushner while his daughter Ivanka Trump looks on, after delivering his acceptance speech at the New York Hilton Midtown in the early hours of November 9, 2016 in New York City.
President-elect Donald Trump embraces son in law Jared Kushner (R), as his daughter Ivanka Trump, (L), stands nearby, after his acceptance speech at the New York Hilton Midtown in the early morning hours of November 9, 2016 in New York City.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
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It seems like Kushner sees himself as a modern version of President Jimmy Carter. Carter famously brokered the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, two enemies who had fought multiple wars. The peace agreement he facilitated still stands strong almost fifty years later.
In his book titled "Breaking History," Kushner expressed his humility in tackling a complex task and highlighted his role in significant diplomatic breakthroughs over the past fifty years. Impressive!
The Abraham Accords led to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signing historic deals to recognize Israel, followed by Kosovo, Morocco, and Sudan. While these agreements eased tensions and promoted economic ties in the region, they did not address the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As a result of the Abraham Accords, Kushner had a plan to raise $50 billion for projects in Palestine. However, this plan fell through as the Palestinians decided to boycott an investment conference organized by Kushner in Bahrain in 2019.
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At the conference, Trump’s Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin enthusiastically declared that investments in the West Bank and Gaza would be as exciting as a hot I.P.O., referring to an initial public offering of stock. This statement was widely criticized as one of the most foolish remarks made by anyone in the Trump administration during their time in office.
The once highly anticipated "hot IPO" has now turned into a disastrous failure, reminiscent of the destruction of Dresden after World War II. Despite this setback, six months after leaving office, Kushner continued to receive support, receiving a generous $2 billion investment from the Saudis for his investment fund. This move appeared to be a reward for his efforts in assisting the Saudis while serving as the Middle East czar in the Trump administration.
Perhaps Kushner’s fund will lead the charge to build the first Trump Tower in Gaza with some really fantastic waterfront views, but somehow, I doubt it. Even Jared Kushner can’t be that clueless.
Editor's P/S:
The article exposes the glaring insensitivity of Jared Kushner's comments regarding Gaza's waterfront property. His suggestion, made amidst reports of widespread destruction and impending famine, echoes the infamous "Let them eat cake" decree. Kushner's unrealistic proposal to relocate Gaza's population to Egypt or Israel ignores the political and humanitarian complexities of the situation. It highlights his lack of understanding of the region and its challenges.
Moreover, the article raises concerns about Kushner's role in the Trump administration's policies, which arguably exacerbated tensions between Israel and Palestine. His support for Israeli settlements and the relocation of the US embassy to Jerusalem undermined longstanding US policy and further alienated Palestinians. The article suggests that Kushner's pursuit of the Abraham Accords, while aimed at promoting peace, failed to address the root causes of the conflict, leaving the Israeli-Palestinian issue unresolved. led to the recognition of Israel by several Arab states, they have failed to address the fundamental issues underlying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The article concludes by expressing skepticism about Kushner's ability to attract investments for Gaza, given his track record and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
