Funding Linked to Jared Kushner
Investigative journalist Matthew Cole reports that Mohammed bin Zayed, the ruler of the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman funneled at least $2 billion into bank accounts associated with Jared Kushner, who served as a senior White House advisor in 2020. Kushner was involved in diplomatic efforts to help resolve the war in Ukraine. This probe is based on a phone hack carried out by Dutch intelligence and an analysis of banking transactions connecting Kushner to secret funds controlled by the UAE and Israel. Kushner and his legal team deny all allegations.
One key account, nicknamed "Alpha," was held at First Abu Dhabi Bank, led by Tahnoun bin Zayed, brother of Mohammed bin Zayed. Kushner reportedly had signing authority over this account, which received hundreds of millions from an Azerbaijani bank. Since 2017, Saudi and Emirati backers have transferred around $750 million into "Alpha." Initially, there were plans for a fund exceeding $10 billion aimed at supporting the Trump administration’s foreign policy goals, though at least $2 billion eventually flowed into Kushner’s accounts.
Additional Financial Transactions
A second account, known as "Beta," was established in Israel, where by spring 2018, bin Zayed had moved close to $1 billion. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu encouraged Kushner to keep funds in Israel’s central bank, which does not hold personal accounts and requires dual authorization for transfers. Much of the money from this Israeli account was later moved to accounts in Cyprus. Kushner also helped arrange a third account linked to the strengthening ties between Israel and the UAE, with an agreement that Israel would defend the UAE against a significant Iranian attack.
Although Kushner worked at the White House without salary, he was required to disclose any accounts over which he had signing rights. Four senior Trump administration officials were reportedly unaware of the president’s authorization allowing Kushner access to foreign government accounts. A former prosecutor from Robert Mueller’s special counsel team believes Kushner may have violated federal bribery and foreign agent laws. Kushner’s attorney denies any connection to the Watani Al Emarat fund or the UAE account and denies that Kushner holds any account in Israel.
David Friedman, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, rejects involvement in these schemes, stating, “I have absolutely no knowledge of any of these allegations, and the specific claims about me or my supposed role in this supposed scheme are 100% false.”
Sources speaking to Matthew Cole suggest that "Jared sought alternative routes in his diplomacy," and that "the Emirates and Saudis do this annually. A billion or two is nothing to them, and if it achieves their goals, the money is well spent."
This case highlights the complex intersection of international diplomacy and covert financial dealings. The infusion of significant funds from the UAE and Saudi Arabia into Kushner-related accounts raises questions about the legitimacy of these transactions and their potential influence on U.S. foreign policy. The ongoing investigation could have profound implications for all parties involved, including the diplomatic relationships between the U.S., UAE, and Israel.