Kushner’s firm profited from Israeli defense investments while he negotiated Gaza war

Key Points:

• Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law and Middle East envoy, holds the largest stake in Phoenix Holdings via his firm Affinity Partners, which invests heavily in companies linked to Israel's military operations, including Elbit Systems and other defense suppliers.
• Kushner avoided conflict of interest scrutiny by serving as an unpaid envoy rather than an official government role, blending profitable business interests with high-stakes diplomacy during the Gaza conflict; his firm sold part of its Phoenix stake in July for over $340 million, a fivefold return.
• Despite Kushner's key role in negotiating the Gaza ceasefire and rebuilding plans for Gaza, critics question whether his financial interests influence U.S. policy, while Kushner's attorney states he did not direct Phoenix's investment decisions but maintained regular dialogue with its management.
• Phoenix's investments include significant holdings in defense companies supplying drones, artillery, tanks, and naval vessels to Israel, with many seeing share price increases amid the war; the White House dismissed conflict of interest concerns as politically motivated attacks by Democrats.