'Getting Busier as the Presidential Election Approaches'... Son-in-law Kushner Sets Out to Build Trump’s Diplomatic Achievements

Two-Day Intensive Tour of Five Middle Eastern Countries
UAE-Israel Peace Talks, Persuading Arab Nations to Join
Likely to Contribute to Securing Jewish Votes and Funds in November Presidential Election

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Ahead of the November U.S. presidential election, Jared Kushner, senior advisor to President Donald Trump and his son-in-law, is actively working on multiple fronts. Kushner has been dedicated to creating diplomatic achievements for President Trump ahead of the election, including facilitating the normalization of relations between longtime adversaries the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel.

Jared Kushner, Senior Advisor to the White House
[Photo by EPA Yonhap News]

On the 2nd (local time), Kushner visited Doha, the capital of Qatar, and met with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to discuss Middle East issues, including solutions to the Palestinian problem. On the 1st, he boarded the first Israeli national flight from Israel to the UAE along with an Israeli government delegation and visited Abu Dhabi, UAE. On the same day, he also visited Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, meeting with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, respectively. He showed an intense schedule visiting five countries in two days.

Kushner is persuading other countries in the Middle East to participate, using the normalization of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Israel as a starting point. Although there are voices of opposition within the Middle East, changes have already begun, such as Saudi Arabia approving the airspace passage of the first Israeli national flight to the UAE.

He has long been preparing Middle East peace issues while serving in the Trump administration. Earlier this year in January, Kushner was the chief architect of the Middle East peace plan, which President Trump praised as the "Deal of the Century." However, the peace plan, which included $50 billion (59.4 trillion KRW) in support for Palestinian economic development, was criticized as a negotiation plan biased toward Israel and was rejected by Middle Eastern countries. Kushner’s mediation efforts, which were on the brink of collapse, have gained new momentum with the recent normalization of relations between the UAE and Israel.

As the U.S. presidential election approaches, Kushner’s actions are expected to influence President Trump’s election outcome. For President Trump, who has not produced significant diplomatic achievements, a more advanced Middle East peace plan could become a major accomplishment. The historic peace agreement between the UAE and Israel is scheduled to be signed at the White House later this month.

It is also significant that Kushner has laid the groundwork to consolidate support among Jewish communities in the U.S. Since Kushner is Jewish, he can expect substantial donations from Jewish Americans.

The Trump campaign is greatly encouraged by Kushner’s activities in the Middle East. At the Republican National Convention on the 28th of last month, Ivanka Trump, Kushner’s wife and a speaker at the event, said, "President Trump has made history by achieving a Middle East peace agreement." Kushner, who was in the audience at the time, smiled upon hearing Ivanka’s remarks, CNN reported.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.