Kushner and Greenblatt Return to the Middle East to Fundraise for Gaza Projects

Economic development has long had a significant number of proponents who see it as the only realistic point of entry in trying to stabilize the chaos known as the Gaza Strip. Add to that belief the notion that something must be done to lay a foundation at least hinting toward stability in the Palestinian world before the long-awaited Trump peace plan for Israel and the Palestinians is unveiled if it is to have any chance at acceptance, and the strategy becomes a forgone conclusion. The result is believed to be this week’s trip to the Middle East by First-Son-in-Law Jared Kushner, who is also the titular head of the president’s Israel-Palestinian peacemaking force, and chief foreign negotiator Jason Greenblatt, which is said to be primarily focused on getting the international community to ante-up a billion-dollar effort to fund projects to improve the lot of residents of the Gaza Strip. The duo will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt and Israel seeking funding and cooperation. Energy is reportedly the first order of business, although the administration is trying to keep the specifics beneath the radar. While Kushner and especially Greenblatt are considered to be the chief architects of the awaited plan, the other significant contributor will not be joining his colleagues. US Ambassador to Israel David M. Friedman is rumored to have provided significant input to the plan but has become a lightning rod for Palestinian angst because of his efforts to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem and to have President Trump declare Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem.