Jared Kushner Suggests Gaza’s “Waterfront Property” is Valuable, Calls for Removal of Civilians
In a controversial statement, former White House adviser Jared Kushner has sparked outrage by suggesting that Gaza’s “waterfront property” holds significant value and should be cleared of civilians to maximize its potential.
Kushner made the remarks in an interview dated 15 February, which was recently posted on the YouTube channel of the Middle East Initiative, a program of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. The comments were first reported by The Guardian.
“Gaza’s waterfront property, it could be very valuable, if people would focus on building up livelihoods,” Kushner stated. He went on to criticize the allocation of funds towards tunnels and munitions instead of education and innovation.
Expressing his perspective on the situation, Kushner suggested that Israel should evacuate the area and then “clean it up,” although he acknowledged that Israel has not explicitly stated a plan for the return of residents.
Responding to the backlash over his remarks, Kushner defended his comments and emphasized the need for accountability within the Palestinian leadership to improve the lives of the people.
With over 1.5 million displaced Palestinians seeking refuge in Rafah, tensions have escalated as Israel seeks to eradicate Hamas following recent attacks. More than 30,000 Palestinians have lost their lives and over 70,000 have been injured in the conflict.
Looking ahead, Kushner proposed the idea of relocating civilians to Egypt with diplomatic efforts and outlined a plan for the Negev desert in southern Israel, suggesting the relocation of people to facilitate operations.
Amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, the debate has become a central issue in the US presidential election, highlighting the differing stances of Biden and Trump on the matter.
Trump’s recent controversial comments regarding Jewish voters and Israel have drawn condemnation from various quarters, with critics labeling his remarks as antisemitic and divisive.
Despite his past involvement in Middle East peace efforts, Kushner has distanced himself from a potential return to the White House, choosing to focus on his investment business and family in Florida away from the public eye. — Euronews
