Kushner to unveil economic plan for Middle East peace: Report

BY Rachel Frazin, THE HILL

President Donald Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner will return to the Middle East and reveal part of his plan for peace, Politico reports.

Kushner will discuss the economic portion of the plan, which he has been working on for about two years.

“Jared is going to present the economic plan to the region. The economic plan only works if the region supports it,” a senior administration official told Politico on Tuesday. “We understand that if the political aspect of it is not solid, the economic aspect is meaningless. But at the same time the political aspect will not succeed without a proper economic plan.”

Officials told Politico that they plan to finish the entire plan for peace between Israelis and Palestinians in the next few months, though not before Israel’s election on April 9.

Kushner will travel to Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates beginning later this month. He will be accompanied by Middle East emissary Jason Greenblatt, Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook, and Deputy Assistant to the President Avi Berkowitz.

The trip’s purpose is to see how other countries react to the plan, which reportedly includes economic opportunities for Palestinians.

Trump has expressed a fondness for Israel and its right-wing leader Benjamin Netanyahu. Last year, Trump moved the American Embassy to Jerusalem, which Israel considers to be its capital. Jerusalem is considered holy in both Judaism and Islam, and Palestinians were angered by the move.

The White House did not immediately return The Hill’s request for comment.

February 8, 2019 | Comments »

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