Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Kushner Says Israeli Election Complicates Gaza Disarmament Efforts
Jared Kushner said Israel’s coming election is making decisions about Gaza more difficult.
He said the United States and Israel generally want the same final result.
However, they disagree about what should happen to Hamas’s weapons.
A US-backed plan would remove weapons from Hamas and other armed groups.
The plan would also include Israel leaving Gaza.
Israel has opposed this part of the proposal.
Kushner said the disagreement has slowed progress.
He spoke about Gaza while visiting Kyiv to discuss efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
Jared Kushner said Israel’s upcoming October 27 Knesset election is complicating its approach to Gaza.
He described the Israeli government’s position as “a little irrational” in some respects.
The United States and Israel broadly agree on a desired outcome for Gaza, Kushner said.
Israel opposes the Board of Peace proposal to decommission Hamas and other armed groups’ weapons alongside an Israeli withdrawal.
Kushner made the remarks in Kyiv during talks on Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- Who
- US envoy Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, Israel, Hamas and other armed groups were involved in the discussion.
- What
- Kushner said Israel’s upcoming election was complicating efforts to advance a Gaza disarmament and withdrawal plan.
- When
- The remarks were made on Sunday, ahead of Israel’s October 27 Knesset election.
- Where
- Kushner spoke at a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine.
- Why
- The proposed plan requires the decommissioning of weapons held by Hamas and other armed groups, which Israel opposes amid security concerns.
US-Backed Gaza Plan
Israeli Position
Weapons and withdrawal
US-Backed Gaza Plan
The United States is seeking to advance a plan pairing the decommissioning of Hamas and other armed groups’ weapons with an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Israeli Position
Israel opposes the proposal, with the article citing concerns about the security implications of such an arrangement.
Impact of Israeli politics
US-Backed Gaza Plan
Kushner said Israel’s upcoming election was contributing to an approach that was “a little irrational” in some respects and slowing progress.
Israeli Position
Israel’s opposition has contributed to a stall as the government considers the security consequences of the proposed post-war arrangements.
- Speaker
- Jared Kushner, US special envoy and son-in-law of President Donald Trump
- Israeli election
- The Knesset election is scheduled for October 27
- US proposal
- The Board of Peace plan calls for decommissioning weapons held by Hamas and other armed groups
- Israeli position
- Israel has opposed the weapons-decommissioning proposal
- Related measure
- The plan would also involve an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza
- Location of remarks
- Kyiv, Ukraine
- Other diplomatic focus
- Kushner and Steve Witkoff were also discussing efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict