Israel Security Cabinet Blames Jared Kushner for Qatari, Turkish Gaza Presence

Several ministers in Israel’s small security cabinet blamed Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, for the composition of the Executive Board for the Board of Peace, which includes Turkish and Qatari representation that Israel firmly opposes. According to remarks made during a closed discussion on Sunday, participants alleged that Kushner was “taking revenge” on Israel for its refusal to reopen the Rafah Crossing, and that his ties in the region were shaping the plan’s structure. Ministers said Kushner “derailed” Israel’s 2020 sovereignty declaration and continues to pose obstacles because of close political and economic links with Arab leaders. Israeli officials stressed they work routinely and effectively with the American administration. In a past cabinet session, one participant claimed Kushner has “fantasies about world peace” that do not always align with Israeli interests. The cabinet said the Prime Minister’s Office directive for Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to contact the US Secretary of State was not a bid to shift responsibility, as some media suggested, but an effort to manage the crisis methodically. Deescalating situation by having ministers discuss issue over Trump, Netanyahu Officials described it as lowering the level of handling to foreign ministers, between Sa’ar and Rubio, rather than escalating matters between the prime minister and President Trump. The cabinet agreed to oppose Turkish or Qatari representation in any body that would manage Gaza and to continue updates over the next two weeks. Israeli officials said the dispute is less about the existence of a Palestinian civilian administration in Gaza and more about who accompanies it, with particular concern over Turkey’s involvement. The inclusion of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as a central figure would cross a red line, they said, noting that Ankara is not viewed in Jerusalem as neutral or legitimate for Gaza’s management because of political and ideological ties with Hamas.