Kushner: Middle East peace plan due soon
JERUSALEM: US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and adviser said in an interview published on Sunday that the administration will soon present its Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, with or without input from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
In an interview published in the Arabic language Al-Quds newspaper, Jared Kushner appealed directly to Palestinians and criticised Abbas, who has shunned the Trump team over its alleged pro-Israel bias, particularly on the fate of Jerusalem.
The interview came out after a weeklong trip around the region by Kushner and Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt. The team met with leaders of Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Egypt and Saudi Arabia to discuss the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and the administration’s proposals for a peace deal.
Palestinian leaders have blasted the Trump negotiating team in recent days. Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat accused Kushner and Greenblatt of trying to topple the Abbas-led West Bank autonomy government and dismantle the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees.
Kushner said the plan is “almost done,” but offered scant details aside from the promise of economic prosperity. He made no mention of a Palestinian state arising alongside Israel.
Kushner cast doubt on Abbas’ ability to make a deal, alleging that the Palestinian leadership is “scared we will release our peace plan and the Palestinian people will actually like it” because it would offer them a better life.
Palestinian leaders have refused to meet with the Trump team since he recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.