News By Ryan King
Published Oct. 29, 2023, 3:50 p.m. ET
In a surprising revelation, Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump and former senior adviser, has expressed that Saudi Arabia is a safer place for Jews compared to college campuses in the US. Kushner, who is Jewish himself, made this statement during an interview on “Sunday Morning Futures.” He recounted his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, where he spoke at a conference and was allowed to freely express his views. According to Kushner, the current wave of antisemitic incidents in the US, particularly on college campuses, has led to a concerning environment for Jewish students.
The tension at Columbia University, for instance, has escalated to the point of postponing the institution’s Giving Day fundraising due to ongoing conflicts related to the Israel-Palestine issue. This has prompted billionaire donor Leon Cooperman to threaten to discontinue funding the university, citing anti-Israel activities and a professor’s endorsement of a Hamas terror attack. Moreover, Jewish students at Cooper Union in New York City had to seek refuge in a library while protesters chanted inflammatory slogans against them, exemplifying the hostility faced by Jews on campuses.
Kushner, known for his close ties to Saudi Arabia, received a substantial investment in his private equity firm from the Saudi sovereign wealth fund. During his time in the Trump administration, he actively pursued diplomatic efforts to normalize relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Although agreements were reached with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, a deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel has yet to materialize.
Despite recent tensions, Kushner remains optimistic about the potential for improved relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. He believes that a partnership between the two countries would not only benefit Israel but also deepen Saudi Arabia’s ties with the United States. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a close relationship with Saudi Arabia to prevent the country from shifting towards China.
The Biden administration, on the other hand, has had a rocky relationship with Saudi Arabia. President Biden had previously criticized the country, suggesting it would become a pariah state. Furthermore, the Saudi Crown Prince’s behavior, such as making Secretary of State Antony Blinken wait for hours for a meeting, has strained the diplomatic ties between the two nations.
As these diplomatic discussions continue, Israel has launched a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip to combat Hamas members. The conflict has resulted in a significant number of casualties, with Israelis and Americans losing their lives alongside a high number of Palestinians.
Source: [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2023/10/29/news/jared-kushner-claims-jews-safer-in-saudi-arabia-than-on-us-college-campuses/?utm_source=url_sitebuttons&utm_mediium=site%20buttons&utm_campaign=site%20buttons)
