Key facts
- Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump, is a key player in the international effort to rebuild Gaza.
- Kushner holds a central role in the Board of Peace (BoP), chaired by Trump, which is set to oversee Gaza's reconstruction.
- The EU does not approve of the BoP but acknowledges the need to engage with Kushner's organization.
- The Palestine Donor Group (PDG) launched the 'Team Gaza Initiative' with €883.6 million in funding.
- EU officials have stated that member states will not finance projects through BoP-controlled bank accounts.
- Kushner's participation was secured by EU Commissioner Dubravka Šuica, who has been building ties with him.
- Kushner's ability to strengthen contacts with Israel is seen as crucial for reconstruction projects.
- The EU announced two recovery projects in Gaza focusing on water infrastructure and solid waste management, with Israeli approval.
Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, is emerging as a crucial figure in the European Union's strategy for the recovery and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. Despite the EU's reservations about the Board of Peace (BoP), an organization chaired by Trump that is intended to oversee Gaza's rebuilding with extensive powers, European officials recognize that engagement with Kushner is necessary.
Kushner participated via video link in a high-level conference hosted by the Palestine Donor Group (PDG) on Monday, where dozens of Foreign Ministers convened to discuss Gaza's recovery. While his direct intervention was described as brief and choreographed by some diplomats, his presence underscored his central role in the international reconstruction effort. Any European initiative in Gaza will ultimately require interaction with representatives of the BoP.
During the conference, the PDG launched the 'Team Gaza Initiative,' a program that has garnered €883.6 million in financial contributions from countries including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan, along with the European Commission, European Investment Bank, and World Bank. While this initiative aims to support early recovery actions for Gaza's civilian population, it falls significantly short of the estimated $71 billion needed for reconstruction over the next decade. EU officials emphasized that this program is not in competition with the BoP's long-term plan, but they have explicitly ruled out member states channeling funds through BoP-controlled bank accounts.
EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, played a key role in securing Kushner's participation, having invested diplomatic effort in building ties with him since the BoP's inaugural meeting. Šuica's ability to foster relationships was instrumental in Kushner accepting the invitation, a significant achievement given the US's previous absence from PDG meetings and the controversial nature of the BoP.
Kushner's influence also extends to his connections with Israel, which holds the ultimate authority over reconstruction projects in Gaza. His past roles as Trump's peace envoy and negotiator for the Abraham Accords highlight his diplomatic experience and leverage in the region. Middle Eastern governments view the US as a critical power with the necessary influence over Israel to facilitate progress.
Following the conference, Šuica announced the first two recovery projects in Gaza, focusing on water infrastructure and solid waste management, which have received Israeli approval. The EU continues to be a major provider of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, having contributed substantial funds since the outbreak of the conflict.