Jared Kushner's Appointment
During the inaugural meeting of the Peace Council in Washington on February 19, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump formally appointed his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as a special peace envoy. Kushner was given the official title and will work alongside Steve Witkoff, who holds a similar position. Trump also announced an intention to allocate $10 billion for the stabilization and reconstruction of Gaza.
Duties and Commentary
Jared Kushner, who previously served as an unofficial advisor to the administration, now holds the new status of special envoy. His primary duties will involve mediating new diplomatic agreements that could impact the regional situation. President Trump further promised to provide information regarding a deal with Iran within 10 days, stressing the importance of Iran meeting the administration's demands, including the complete cessation of its missile program and support for proxy groups in the region.
"We cannot change the past, but I think today we see that we can potentially change the future if we focus and do it right."
Jared Kushner
Trump, for his part, characterized Kushner as "a very smart guy." These steps indicate the administration's desire to reinvigorate the Middle East peace process. This appointment marks a significant elevation of Kushner's role, moving him from an informal advisor to a formally designated diplomatic representative.
The appointment of Jared Kushner as special peace envoy could be a major step in U.S. attempts to restore diplomatic relations in the region, particularly within the context of the protracted conflict in Gaza. The pledge of substantial reconstruction funds may signal the Trump administration's intent to accelerate peace talks and find new solutions for stabilization. However, the concurrent demands made of Iran could complicate these efforts, given the complex relationships between countries in the region.