Jared Kushner is reportedly set to engage with Gaza officials as discussions continue around US President Donald Trump's proposed Board of Peace initiative The development comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts surrounding Gaza, with regional actors closely watching Washington's plans for the territory's future governance, reconstruction and security. Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and a key figure in previous Middle East diplomacy, has remained involved in discussions surrounding the administration's regional strategy.
The reported talks come as negotiations involving Gaza, Israel, Hamas, Egypt and the United States continue to shape the wider diplomatic landscape.

Report: Kushner to Speak to Gaza Officials with Board of Peace  | WATCH 

Jared Kushner is reportedly set to engage with Gaza officials as discussions continue around US President Donald Trump's proposed Board of Peace initiative.

The development comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts surrounding Gaza, with regional actors closely watching Washington's plans for the territory's future governance, reconstruction and security.

Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and a key figure in previous Middle East diplomacy, has remained involved in discussions surrounding the administration's regional strategy.

The reported talks come as negotiations involving Gaza, Israel, Hamas, Egypt and the United States continue to shape the wider diplomatic landscape.

Report: Kushner to Speak to Gaza Officials with Board of Peace

Jared Kushner, President Trump's White House adviser and son-in-law of the US president who has been largely responsible for stitching up the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/benjamin-netanyahu-tells-vladimir-putin-mideast-deal-a-new-opportunity-277570">Middle East peace</a> plan has said that if Palestinians are unable to meet the conditions then&nbsp;the US wouldn't be able to get "Israel to take the risk to recognize them as a state."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-unveils-middle-east-peace-plan-jerusalem-to-be-undivided-capital-277163">Also Read: Trump unveils Middle East peace plan; Jerusalem to be undivided capital</a>

In a programme on CNN with anchor Fareed Zakaria, Kushner said: "For the Palestinians, if they want their people to live better lives, we now have a framework to do it," adding, "If they don't think they can uphold these standards, then I don't think we can get Israel to take the risk to recognize them as a state."

"The only thing more dangerous than what we have now is a failed state," Kushner told Zakaria.

Kushner said the peace plan was a great deal for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-unveils-middle-east-peace-plan-draws-flak-from-palestinians-277189">Palestinians</a> while adding that "Palestinian territories amount to a police state... not exactly a thriving democracy."

Trump's aide told CNN that if the Palestinians "come to the table and negotiate" they will get "something excellent".&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jared-kushner-meet-the-man-behind-middle-east-peace-plan-277295">Also Read: Meet the man behind Middle-East peace plan</a>

However, in a harsh tone, Kushner told the US channel that "if they screw up this opportunity - which again, they have a perfect track record of missing opportunities - if they screw this up, I think that they will have a very hard time looking the international community in the face, saying they're victims."

Several countries including Britain haven't ratified the plan. The UK foreign office said it was "concerned by reports of possible moves toward annexation of parts of the West Bank by Israel."

"Any such unilateral moves would be damaging to renewed efforts to re-start peace negotiations, and contrary to international law," it said.

The plan was rejected by the Palestinians but US President Trump insisted that "it might have a chance".

"We think we will have ultimately the support of the Palestinians," Trump said, adding that the plan is "something they should want... it's very good for them, in fact it's overly good for them," while stating that "many of the Arab nations" back the plan.

Jared Kushner, President Trump's White House adviser and son-in-law of the US president who has been largely responsible for stitching up the Middle East peace plan has said that if Palestinians are unable to meet the conditions then the US wouldn't be able to get "Israel to take the risk to recognize them as a state.

Jared Kushner, President Trump's White House adviser and son-in-law of the US president who has been largely responsible for stitching up the Middle East peace plan has said that if Palestinians are unable to meet the conditions then the US wouldn't be able to get "Israel to take the risk to recognize them as a state." Also Read: Trump unveils Middle East peace plan; Jerusalem to be undivided capital In a programme on CNN with anchor Fareed Zakaria, Kushner said: "For the Palestinians, if they want their people to live better lives, we now have a framework to do it," adding, "If they don't think they can uphold these standards, then I don't think we can get Israel to take the risk to recognize them as a state." "The only thing more dangerous than what we have now is a failed state," Kushner told Zakaria. Kushner said the peace plan was a great deal for the Palestinians while adding that "Palestinian territories amount to a police state... not exactly a thriving democracy." Trump's aide told CNN that if the Palestinians "come to the table and negotiate" they will get "something excellent". Also Read: Meet the man behind Middle-East peace plan However, in a harsh tone, Kushner told the US channel that "if they screw up this opportunity - which again, they have a perfect track record of missing opportunities - if they screw this up, I think that they will have a very hard time looking the international community in the face, saying they're victims." Several countries including Britain haven't ratified the plan. The UK foreign office said it was "concerned by reports of possible moves toward annexation of parts of the West Bank by Israel." "Any such unilateral moves would be damaging to renewed efforts to re-start peace negotiations, and contrary to international law," it said. The plan was rejected by the Palestinians but US President Trump insisted that "it might have a chance". "We think we will have ultimately the support of the Palestinians," Trump said, adding that the plan is "something they should want... it's very good for them, in fact it's overly good for them," while stating that "many of the Arab nations" back the plan.

Palestinians should come to the table and negotiate: Kushner on Middle East peace plan

White House adviser Jared Kushner said on Tuesday that his plan for the Middle East was "the opportunity of the century" for the Palestinians but that their acceptance was a pre-condition to peace.

"Agreeing on an economic pathway forward is a necessary pre-condition to resolving the previously unsolvable political issues," Kushner said as he opened a workshop in Bahrain being boycotted by the Palestinian Authority.

While the two-day meeting will not address political solutions in the Middle East, Kushner acknowledged the need to take them up later.

"To be clear, economic growth and prosperity for the Palestinian people are not possible without an enduring and fair political solution to the conflict -- one that guarantees Israel's security and respects the dignity of the Palestinian people."

Kushner acknowledged widespread scepticism about the intentions of President Donald Trump, his father-in-law, who has taken an unapologetically pro-Israel line including recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.&nbsp;

But Kushner said that the Palestinians have been ill-served by previous peace-making efforts.&nbsp;

"My direct message to the Palestinian people is that despite what those who have let you down in the past say, President Trump and America have not given up on you," he said.&nbsp;

He dismissed the mocking description of his peace plan as the "deal of the century" but said: "This effort is better referred to as the opportunity of the century, if the leadership has the courage to pursue it."

The economic plan, revealed by the White House on Saturday, calls for $50 billion in investment over 10 years in the Palestinian territories and their Arab neighbours.

White House adviser Jared Kushner said on Tuesday that his plan for the Middle East was "the opportunity of the century" for the Palestinians but that their acceptance was a pre-condition to peace.

White House adviser Jared Kushner said on Tuesday that his plan for the Middle East was "the opportunity of the century" for the Palestinians but that their acceptance was a pre-condition to peace. "Agreeing on an economic pathway forward is a necessary pre-condition to resolving the previously unsolvable political issues," Kushner said as he opened a workshop in Bahrain being boycotted by the Palestinian Authority. While the two-day meeting will not address political solutions in the Middle East, Kushner acknowledged the need to take them up later. "To be clear, economic growth and prosperity for the Palestinian people are not possible without an enduring and fair political solution to the conflict -- one that guarantees Israel's security and respects the dignity of the Palestinian people." Kushner acknowledged widespread scepticism about the intentions of President Donald Trump, his father-in-law, who has taken an unapologetically pro-Israel line including recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. But Kushner said that the Palestinians have been ill-served by previous peace-making efforts. "My direct message to the Palestinian people is that despite what those who have let you down in the past say, President Trump and America have not given up on you," he said. He dismissed the mocking description of his peace plan as the "deal of the century" but said: "This effort is better referred to as the opportunity of the century, if the leadership has the courage to pursue it." The economic plan, revealed by the White House on Saturday, calls for $50 billion in investment over 10 years in the Palestinian territories and their Arab neighbours.

Economic plan 'necessary pre-condition' for Middle East peace: Kushner

<div style="text-align:start; -webkit-text-stroke-width:0px"><a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/new-trump-immigration-plan-may-increase-visas-for-highly-skilled-workers-213463&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjzzZyG1_7hAhW0V3wKHY-nCBQQFjAAegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3qNjBvgm8F1WorsoZBEJ5S">White House senior adviser Jared Kushner</a> said on Thursday he hopes Israel will take a hard look at President Donald Trump's upcoming Middle East peace proposal before proceeding with any plan to annex West Bank settlements.</div>

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had vowed in the waning days of a re-election campaign he won on April 9 to annex Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, in a move that would be bound to trigger condemnation from the Palestinians and the Arab world and complicate the US peace effort.

Kushner, speaking at a dinner of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the Middle East peace proposal he has been putting together was close to release and that Israel and the Palestinians should wait to see it before making any unilateral moves.

He said the issue would be discussed with the Israeli government when <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-sworn-into-israels-new-parliament-after-election-victory-214818&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiZ8oup1_7hAhVJM48KHR9uCDMQFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2ziDjNOENbR_f_mchGHymy">Netanyahu forms a governing coalition.</a>

"I hope both sides will take a real look at it, the Israeli side and the Palestinian side before any unilateral steps are made," Kushner said, adding he had not discussed the issue of settlement annexation with Netanyahu.

Kushner and Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt have spent the past two years developing the peace proposal in the hopes it will provide a framework for a renewed dialogue between the Israelis and Palestinians.

The Palestinians have refused to talk to the US side since Trump decided to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel.

The Palestinians want to establish a state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, all territory Israel captured in 1967.

Kushner, who is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka, is expected to unveil his proposals in June after the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

"What we will be able to put together is a solution that we believe is a good starting point for the political issues and then an outline for what can be done to help these people start living a better life," Kushner said.

"I was given the assignment of trying to find a solution between the two sides and I think what we'll put forward is a framework that I think is realistic ... it's executable and it's something that I do think will lead to both sides being much better off," Kushner said.

POLITICAL, ECONOMIC COMPONENTS

Kushner has begun to take a more public role in the Trump administration since he emerged unscathed from US&nbsp;Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into whether the Trump presidential campaign in 2016 colluded with Russia.

Trump has relied heavily on the 38-year-old Kushner, who helped develop prison reform legislation and a new US-Mexico-Canada trade deal, and is also working on a US immigration proposal.

The Middle East proposal, which has been delayed for a variety of reasons over the past 18 months, has two major components.

It has a political piece that addresses core issues such as the status of Jerusalem, and an economic part that aims to help the Palestinians strengthen their economy.

Kushner has said the proposal is not an effort to impose the US will on the region.

He has not said whether it calls for a two-state solution, a goal of past peace efforts.

On Thursday night, he called on critics to hold their fire until they are able to see the plan in its entirety.

Palestinians have voiced scepticism about the effort led by Trump's son-in-law, who was a real estate developer before joining his father-in-law as a senior White House adviser.

Arab officials and analysts believe the plan is likely to be decidedly pro-Israel since the Trump administration has taken a tough line toward Palestinians, cutting off aid and ordering the PLO's office in Washington shut.

Greenblatt has said US&nbsp;negotiators expect Israelis and Palestinians will both be critical of some parts of the plan.

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner said on Thursday he hopes Israel will take a hard look at President Donald Trump's upcoming Middle East peace proposal before proceeding with any plan to annex West Bank settlements.

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner said on Thursday he hopes Israel will take a hard look at President Donald Trump's upcoming Middle East peace proposal before proceeding with any plan to annex West Bank settlements. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had vowed in the waning days of a re-election campaign he won on April 9 to annex Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, in a move that would be bound to trigger condemnation from the Palestinians and the Arab world and complicate the US peace effort. Kushner, speaking at a dinner of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the Middle East peace proposal he has been putting together was close to release and that Israel and the Palestinians should wait to see it before making any unilateral moves. He said the issue would be discussed with the Israeli government when Netanyahu forms a governing coalition. "I hope both sides will take a real look at it, the Israeli side and the Palestinian side before any unilateral steps are made," Kushner said, adding he had not discussed the issue of settlement annexation with Netanyahu. Kushner and Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt have spent the past two years developing the peace proposal in the hopes it will provide a framework for a renewed dialogue between the Israelis and Palestinians. The Palestinians have refused to talk to the US side since Trump decided to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel. The Palestinians want to establish a state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, all territory Israel captured in 1967. Kushner, who is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka, is expected to unveil his proposals in June after the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. "What we will be able to put together is a solution that we believe is a good starting point for the political issues and then an outline for what can be done to help these people start living a better life," Kushner said. "I was given the assignment of trying to find a solution between the two sides and I think what we'll put forward is a framework that I think is realistic ... it's executable and it's something that I do think will lead to both sides being much better off," Kushner said. POLITICAL, ECONOMIC COMPONENTS Kushner has begun to take a more public role in the Trump administration since he emerged unscathed from US Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into whether the Trump presidential campaign in 2016 colluded with Russia. Trump has relied heavily on the 38-year-old Kushner, who helped develop prison reform legislation and a new US-Mexico-Canada trade deal, and is also working on a US immigration proposal. The Middle East proposal, which has been delayed for a variety of reasons over the past 18 months, has two major components. It has a political piece that addresses core issues such as the status of Jerusalem, and an economic part that aims to help the Palestinians strengthen their economy. Kushner has said the proposal is not an effort to impose the US will on the region. He has not said whether it calls for a two-state solution, a goal of past peace efforts. On Thursday night, he called on critics to hold their fire until they are able to see the plan in its entirety. Palestinians have voiced scepticism about the effort led by Trump's son-in-law, who was a real estate developer before joining his father-in-law as a senior White House adviser. Arab officials and analysts believe the plan is likely to be decidedly pro-Israel since the Trump administration has taken a tough line toward Palestinians, cutting off aid and ordering the PLO's office in Washington shut. Greenblatt has said US negotiators expect Israelis and Palestinians will both be critical of some parts of the plan.

White House advisor Jared Kushner hopes Israel will look at peace plan before any West Bank moves

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says US President Donald Trump has assured him of his commitment to Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.

Abbas today spoke about what he described as a constructive phone call with Trump two days earlier. The official Palestinian news agency WAFA quoted Abbas as saying that Trump &quot;asserted his full commitment to the peace process.&quot;

Abbas says he told Trump he opposes extremism and will cooperate with the US to reach a peace deal based on the establishment of a Palestinian state next to Israel.

The phone call helped allay concerns the Palestinians were being ignored by Trump, who has embraced Israel&#39;s leader and at one point suggested the two-state solution was optional. 
 
Abbas says he is to meet Trump at the White House in &quot;the near future.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
(PTI) 
&nbsp;

Mahmoud Abbas told Trump he will cooperate with the US to reach a peace deal based on establishing a Palestinian state next to Israel

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says US President Donald Trump has assured him of his commitment to Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts. Abbas today spoke about what he described as a constructive phone call with Trump two days earlier. The official Palestinian news agency WAFA quoted Abbas as saying that Trump "asserted his full commitment to the peace process." Abbas says he told Trump he opposes extremism and will cooperate with the US to reach a peace deal based on the establishment of a Palestinian state next to Israel. The phone call helped allay concerns the Palestinians were being ignored by Trump, who has embraced Israel's leader and at one point suggested the two-state solution was optional. Abbas says he is to meet Trump at the White House in "the near future." (PTI)

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas says Trump committed to Mideast peace process