Trump's Israeli-Palestinian peace czar Jared Kusher has growing financial ties to Israel
Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser whose once-broad portfolio has apparently shrunk to Middle East peace, has nonetheless been on the receiving end of at least one multimillion-dollar Israeli deal since he joined the White House, a $30 million infusion to his family company, Kushner Cos., right before he accompanied President Trump to the Middle East last May, The New York Times reports. In that previously undisclosed deal, Israeli insurance powerhouse Menora Mivtachim invested in Kushner-owned apartments in the Baltimore area in which Jared Kushner still has a financial stake, the Times reports.
Kushner Cos. has also teamed up with a member of Israel's wealthy Steinmetz family to buy nearly $200 million in Manhattan apartment buildings plus develop a luxury high-rise in New Jersey, and has taken out at least four loans from Bank Hapoalim, Israels' largest bank, the Times reports, noting that Beny Steinmetz and Bank Hapoalim are being investigated by the Justice Department for bribery and aiding tax evasion, respectively. Kushner Cos. is also reportedly under an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"The business dealings don't appear to violate federal ethics laws," The New York Times says, and there is no evidence that Kushner, who resigned as CEO to join the White House but didn't fully divest, "was personally involved in brokering the deal." But the Trump administration already faces the perception that more than most U.S. administrations, it is not an honest broker in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and business ties between Israel and Trump's Mideast peace czar won't help that view. Kushner's family charity also donates to a West Bank Israeli settlement organization.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
White House spokesman Raj Shah said the Trump administration has "tremendous confidence in the job Jared is doing leading our peace efforts, and he takes the ethics rules very seriously and would never compromise himself or the administration." You can read more at The New York Times.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
A beginner's guide to exploring the Amazon
The Week Recommends Trek carefully — and respectfully — in the world's largest rainforest
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
What is the future of the International Space Station?
In the Spotlight A fiery retirement, launching the era of private space stations
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
What are the rules of a no-buy vs. low-buy year?
The Explainer These two revised approaches to purchasing could help you save big
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Trump starts term with spate of executive orders
Speed Read The president is rolling back many of Joe Biden's climate and immigration policies
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump pardons or commutes all charged Jan. 6 rioters
Speed Read The new president pardoned roughly 1,500 criminal defendants charged with crimes related to the Capitol riot
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
DeSantis appoints Florida's top lawyer to US Senate
Speed Read The state's attorney general, Ashley Moody, will replace Sen. Marco Rubio in the Senate
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Pam Bondi downplays politics at confirmation hearing
Speed Read Trump's pick for attorney general claimed her Justice Department would not prosecute anyone for political reasons
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden warns of oligarchy in farewell address
Speed Read The president issued a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked power in the hands of the ultra-wealthy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Hegseth boosts hopes for confirmation amid grilling
Speed Read The Senate held confirmation hearings for Pete Hegseth, Trump's Defense Secretary nominee
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden removes Cuba from terrorism blacklist
Speed read The move is likely to be reversed by the incoming Trump administration, as it was Trump who first put Cuba on the terrorism blacklist in his first term
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published