Former White House Adviser Jared Kushner Praises Potential of Gaza's 'Waterfront Property'

Following a recent interview dated Feb. 15, Jared Kushner, former White House adviser to Donald Trump, has sparked controversy with his comments regarding Gaza and Israel. Kushner praised the “very valuable” potential of Gaza’s “waterfront property," suggesting that Israel should remove civilians while it “cleans up” the area.

Kushner's Remarks

During the interview, Kushner highlighted the potential value of Gaza's waterfront property and proposed that focusing on building up livelihoods in the area could yield positive outcomes. He also expressed concern about the allocation of resources, stating that the funds used for the tunnel network and munitions could have been invested in education and innovation instead.

In response to criticism, Kushner defended his comments and emphasized that he believes the Palestinian people’s lives will improve only with increased accountability from their leadership and the international community.

Situation in Gaza

Currently, approximately 1.5 million displaced Palestinians are sheltering in the southern Gaza town of Rafah, while Israel looks to eliminate Hamas following a deadly attack by the militant group. The ongoing conflict has resulted in more than 30,000 Palestinians being killed and over 70,000 wounded in the Gaza Strip since Israel’s war on Hamas began.

Israeli Response and International Relations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to send a team of officials to Washington to discuss a prospective Rafah operation with the Biden administration. This move comes after a period of strained relations between the U.S. and Israel, particularly over the food crisis in Gaza and Israel’s conduct during the war.

The upcoming talks are expected to involve military, intelligence and humanitarian experts, indicating a comprehensive approach to addressing the situation in Gaza.

Debate Over the Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Israel-Hamas conflict has become a prominent issue in the U.S. presidential election, drawing clear distinctions between the Biden and Trump administrations, as well as within their respective parties.

In light of Democrats’ criticism of Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza, Trump made controversial remarks, suggesting that Jews who vote for Democrats “hate Israel” and “their religion.” This led to widespread condemnation and accusations of antisemitism from various quarters, including Senator Chuck Schumer.

Kushner's Future Plans

Despite his involvement in Middle East peace efforts during his tenure in the Trump administration, Kushner has stated that he is not interested in rejoining the White House if Trump wins the 2024 presidential election. Instead, he has expressed a focus on his investment business and personal life in Florida.

These recent developments have reignited discussions about the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict and the role of international actors in seeking a resolution.