Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has engaged in discussions regarding U.S.-Saudi diplomatic negotiations involving Israel with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman multiple times since leaving the Trump White House, according to a source familiar with the discussions.
The source did not specify when these talks occurred or if they took place before or after the onset of the Gaza conflict. However, they included discussions about normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, a key diplomatic goal for both the Biden and Trump administrations.
Kushner, 43, has maintained a close relationship with Saudi Arabia, which congressional investigators claim has invested $2 billion in his private equity fund, Affinity Partners, established after his White House tenure.
The revelation that Kushner and Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader discussed a peace accord—an initiative that U.S. President Joe Biden has also attempted to broker—highlights the significance both political parties place on stabilizing the increasingly volatile Middle East, especially with a closely contested presidential election approaching.
Critics, including ethics experts and some congressional Democrats and Republicans, have raised concerns about Saudi Arabia’s investment in Kushner’s fund, suggesting it could appear as a payoff given his previous involvement in Saudi matters.
In a letter dated Sept. 24, Democratic Senator Ron Wyden expressed that Saudi investments in Kushner’s fund raise “obvious conflicts of interest concerns.”
Kushner and Affinity have denied any claims of a payoff or conflict of interest, with a spokesperson asserting that many seek Kushner’s insights due to his track record of successes.
The source close to Kushner declined to provide further details about his discussions with the crown prince, stating that it would not be appropriate to share.
In a Sept. 18 speech, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman indicated that Saudi Arabia would not recognize Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state, complicating potential negotiations.
To encourage Saudi Arabia’s recognition of Israel, the Biden administration has offered security guarantees, assistance with a civilian nuclear program, and a renewed focus on a Palestinian state.
However, the ongoing Gaza conflict has complicated these discussions, strengthening Arab and Muslim support for the Palestinian cause.
The approaching U.S. election also factors into these dynamics, as Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris vie for the presidency.
Sources familiar with Saudi strategy believe that if Trump returns to power, the crown prince would be open to negotiating with Israel under his leadership.
In a speech to the UN General Assembly on Sept. 27, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke positively about the prospect of an agreement with Saudi Arabia.
Normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia would expand the “Abraham Accords,” which Kushner played a key role in negotiating during Trump’s presidency.
If Trump wins in November, sources indicate that Kushner may unofficially re-engage in Saudi negotiations, although a spokesperson denied he is pursuing this role.
Ethics experts warn that Kushner’s involvement in such discussions could present a significant conflict of interest, given his financial ties to Saudi Arabia.