On February 15th, Middle East Initiative Faculty Chair Professor Tarek Masoud and former senior advisor to President Trump Jared Kushner discussed American policy on Israel/Palestine, the ongoing events in Gaza, and more.
Video Summary
Harvard's Middle East Initiative hosted a dialogue titled "Middle East Dialogues" featuring Professor Tarek Masoud and former senior advisor Jared Kushner. The event, part of a series designed to explore varied perspectives on the current conflict, examined the humanitarian situation in Gaza and discussed immediate ceasefire ideas. Participants addressed fears regarding the return of displaced Gazans and debated whether the United States should recognize a Palestinian state. The conversation also touched upon the 1967 war and analyzed factors leading up to October 7th, including potential neglect of the Palestinian issue under previous administrations.
Kushner offered differing assessments of Mahmoud Abbas compared to former President Trump, discussing East Jerusalem as a capital and questioning how Palestinians can build institutions while under bombardment. The discussion questioned whether American negotiators have previously bowed to Palestinian demands and if Kushner's approach validated rejectionist views. Topics included the rationale for recognizing Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights, Kushner's relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and why he did not attempt to freeze settlements or build capital with Palestinians. The dialogue concluded by emphasizing the importance of peace deals involving Palestinians and exploring how to advance regional progress amidst ongoing challenges.
Watch “Middle East Dialogues: Tarek Masoud in conversation with Jared Kushner” on YouTube
