Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, influential couple in the relationship between the United States and Israel
The United States transferred its embassy to Jerusalem on Monday, despite international disapproval. Donald Trump's daughter and her husband, Jared Kushner, Special Advisor to the President, will be in attendance.
For once, let's lack elegance and talk first about Monsieur and then, only afterwards, about Madame. Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump and husband of Ivanka, the president's favorite daughter, was seen as the one who had control over the Israeli-Palestinian issue. He is one of those who advised his father-in-law on the merits of moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to the western part of Jerusalem in the Arnona neighborhood, despite the disapproval of the international community. However, it is neither he nor the glamorous couple he forms with the blonde Ivanka who should appear at the forefront of this historic inauguration on Monday. Absent, President Trump intends to speak through a video message. And the American delegation will be represented by John J. Sullivan, Assistant Secretary of State of the United States. For once, the diplomatic hierarchy will be respected. This protocol detail will not escape the observers of this bilateral ceremony which will give a touch of glamor to diplomacy.
In May 2017, during the first presidential diplomatic trip to Israel, Jared Kushner stands alongside his father-in-law. He gets off the Air Force One plane accompanied by Ivanka, dressed in white lace. A power couple at their peak, in House of Cards sauce. “The“ Javanka ”couple, as their detractors call it, is at the heart of the decision-making process. They belong to the most restricted circle of advisers to the American president,” underlines David Khalfa, researcher at the Foresight and Security Institute in Europe (IPSE ). The one the American press nicknames "the prince of Washington" is the special adviser to the White House and has for mission, among other things, to reach a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
Kushner, the right man for Trump
For Donald Trump, who only trusts his family, Jared Kushner is the man for the job. "He maintains family, personal and financial ties with this country, explains David Khalfa. He grew up in an American Jewish environment that is both modern and Orthodox. However, Kushner is not aligned with the hard positions of the right. Israeli and cultivates its links with Sunni Arab countries, which it intends to bring into the dance of a peace process based on a regional approach. "
Kushner's childhood friend, Kory Bardash remembers: "Jared has always been a practitioner. Since he was little he has traveled with his family to Israel. Especially around the time of Jewish holidays, such as Sukkot, which are important to us. . He always felt strongly connected to this country, like any Jew in the Diaspora. "
Ivanka Trump converts to Orthodox Judaism
A man goes the other way: Benjamin Netanyahu. When he goes to the United States, he sees Charlie, the father of little Jared, whom he watches growing up. "They saw each other a lot, continues his childhood friend. Their relationship is old. No wonder he was given this role of mediator in the Middle East."
When Jared marries Ivanka, the 27-year-old converts to Orthodox Judaism. Practicing, the couple respects the Shabbat. Very broadly in favor of the move of the embassy, Trump's campaign promise, Jared nevertheless warns about the timing. According to him, he would risk ruining the efforts to reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians, efforts which he is also leading with his partner Jason Greenblatt, the special envoy to the Middle East.
The couple is targeted by justice for conflict of interest
Its proximity to Israel is becoming embarrassing as the American press reveals its financial ties with the country. The New York Times has thus revealed that one of the largest Israeli insurers has invested nearly $ 30 million in the real estate branch of the Kushner family. They have also paid thousands of dollars to settlements in the West Bank, through their foundation. According to the daily Haaretz, the Israeli army would also have benefited from their largesse.
In recent months, the star that shines above their heads has weakened. The couple is targeted by American justice for conflict of interest. Jared Kushner lost access to classified defense information. "We must not underestimate or overestimate the influence of the couple, concludes David Khalfa. If it is real, it is nonetheless limited. Ultimately, it is Donald Trump who decides, and the unpredictable behavior of the latter frequently confuses his closest advisers. "
