- Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and top White House adviser, said he's read 25 books about the Israel-Palestine conflict.
- Kushner has taken the lead on the administration's Middle East policy despite having no background in foreign policy or real expertise in the Middle East prior to joining his father-in-law's administration.
- Kushner's comment sparked immediate ridicule online from people who think that it's laughable to cite a reading list as evidence of competency to negotiate Middle East relations.
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Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and top White House adviser, said during an interview with Sky News Arabia on Wednesday that he's read 25 books about the Israel-Palestine conflict. The revelation follows the Trump administration's unveiling of a controversial Middle East "peace plan."
Kushner has taken the lead on the administration's Middle East policy despite having no significant background in foreign policy or the Middle East prior to joining his father-in-law's administration. But Kushner has close personal ties to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is a longtime friend of Kushner's family, and to Israel.
Kushner's comment sparked immediate reaction online from people who believe that it's laughable to cite a number of books -- without even naming the books -- as evidence of competency to negotiate Middle East relations.
Foreign policy experts and others have long criticized President Donald Trump's reliance on his family members to spearhead major government efforts across issue areas that are normally led by seasoned experts.
In 2018, Trump ordered his chief of staff to grant Kushner a top-secret security clearance, ignoring the CIA's objections over Kushner's business-related conflicts of interest. The president and his daughter, Ivanka, claimed Kushner was subjected to a standard process.
Kushner tells Sky News Arabia he has read 25 books on the Israel-Palestine conflict
- Abbas Al Lawati (@allawati) January 29, 2020Reading 25 books on the Israel-Palestine conflict and becoming an expert on peace in the Middle East is about as likely as reading the Harry Potter series and becoming a wizard. https://t.co/vGHhfdq7Ii
- Vicky Ward (@VickyPJWard) January 29, 2020I've read 25 books on the NBA. I'm available whenever the Chicago Bulls need a new point guard. https://t.co/9g1jvUdSSd
- Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) January 29, 2020I've read 25 books on flying. I guess I'm a pilot. https://t.co/iyGtUufQEv
- Diana Butler Bass (@dianabutlerbass) January 29, 2020