Kushner faces conflict-of-interest questions over Gaza role

US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Jared Kushner faces conflict-of-interest questions after a CNN investigation found that his investment firm has a major stake in an Israeli financial group that invests in defence companies supplying weapons to the Israeli military, while he plays a key role in talks to end the Gaza war. 

According to the investigation, Kushner’s investment firm, Affinity Partners, owns a 7.4 per cent stake in Israeli financial group Phoenix Financial, which was worth more than $1 billion in July.

Phoenix invests hundreds of millions of dollars in Elbit Systems, one of Israel’s largest defence companies, as well as stakes in other companies that supply the Israeli military with military equipment and services, according to Israeli financial records reviewed by CNN.

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The investments have gained particular significance because of Kushner’s role in efforts to end the Gaza war. He has taken part in talks with Israeli and Palestinian officials and met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to revive a ceasefire plan and end the war.

The investigation said Kushner’s firm doubled its stake in Phoenix over the past year. In July, it sold about a quarter of its holding, making a return of more than five times its original investment, while remaining the Israeli group’s largest shareholder.

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