Several ministers in Israel’s small security cabinet blamed Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, for the composition of the Executive Board for the Board of Peace, which includes Turkish and Qatari representation that Israel firmly opposes.
According to remarks made during a closed discussion on Sunday, participants alleged that Kushner was “taking revenge” on Israel for its refusal to reopen the Rafah Crossing, and that his ties in the region were shaping the plan’s structure.
Ministers said Kushner “derailed” Israel’s 2020 sovereignty declaration and continues to pose obstacles because of close political and economic links with Arab leaders.
Israeli officials stressed they work routinely and effectively with the American administration. In a past cabinet session, one participant claimed Kushner has “fantasies about world peace” that do not always align with Israeli interests.
The cabinet said the Prime Minister’s Office directive for Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to contact the US Secretary of State was not a bid to shift responsibility, as some media suggested, but an effort to manage the crisis methodically.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on August 28, 2025. (credit: SCREENSHOT/X, SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT)
Deescalating situation by having ministers discuss issue over Trump, Netanyahu
Officials described it as lowering the level of handling to foreign ministers, between Sa’ar and Rubio, rather than escalating matters between the prime minister and President Trump. The cabinet agreed to oppose Turkish or Qatari representation in any body that would manage Gaza and to continue updates over the next two weeks.
Israeli officials said the dispute is less about the existence of a Palestinian civilian administration in Gaza and more about who accompanies it, with particular concern over Turkey’s involvement.
MimiGoldDigger on January 19th, 2026 at 00:05 UTC »
Kushner has been eating good with all those broker deals
maximus_danus on January 18th, 2026 at 18:58 UTC »
"Ministers" not named in the article.
Delicious_Adeptness9 on January 18th, 2026 at 18:45 UTC »
Israeli cabinet ministers have publicly blamed Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, for the inclusion of Turkish and Qatari representatives on a Gaza peace board that Israel opposes. The ministers argue Kushner’s regional ties have derailed Israel’s 2020 sovereignty declaration and shaped the composition of the board in ways they view as counter to Israeli interests. The dispute highlights tensions between Israeli leaders and U.S. policy choices over how Gaza’s future governance should be structured, especially concerning actors Israel considers hostile. Israeli officials said they are coordinating with the U.S. State Department to manage the issue and oppose Turkish or Qatari roles in any Gaza administration body.