As Arab nations reject Trump plan for Middle East, Kushner blames those who took no part: Palestinians

By TRACY WILKINSON STAFF WRITER
FEB. 3, 2020 2:49 PM

WASHINGTON — For three years, presidential senior advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner, a man of many portfolios, spent considerable time on a plan aimed at addressing the intractable conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

He was generally quiet about what he was doing, maintaining a patina of diplomatic circumspection.

Now, however, after the plan was released last week in a White House ceremony with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and no Palestinians in attendance, Kushner seems to have plenty to say — mostly harsh criticism of the Palestinians who were not involved in shaping the plan and flatly rejected it.

His tone, current and former officials said, reflects the unlikelihood that the plan will survive, even though it could have far-reaching consequences.

Over the weekend, the 22-nation Arab League unanimously rejected it, despite Kushner’s assurances that numerous Arab states were on board. The 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation followed suit on Monday.

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