Trump's son-in-law Kushner made 'secret' Riyadh visit to discuss Israel-Palestinian conflict

Trump's son-in-law Kushner made 'secret' Riyadh visit to discuss Israel-Palestinian conflict
An official at the White House revealed that Jared Kushner made a secret four-day visit to Saudi Arabia before travelling to Israel last week.
2 min read
30 October, 2017
The secret visit brought together the US delegation with unidentified Saudi officials [Getty]
Senior US adviser and son-in-law of President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner made a secret four-day visit to Saudi Arabia before travelling to Israel last week, according to an official source at the White House.

Kushner was accompanied by Trump's Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt and deputy national security adviser Dina Powell, the source said, without disclosing further information on the delegation's visit to Riyadh.

The trip is the latest step in the efforts of US officials to continue discussions with regional partners on the Middle East peace process, a senior official said.

Kushner is also in constant contact with officials from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, the source added.

"While these regional talks will play an important role, the president reaffirms that peace between Israelis and Palestinians can only be negotiated directly between the two parties and that the United States will continue working closely with the parties to make progress toward that goal," a White House official told Politico in a statement.

"No deal will be imposed on Israelis and Palestinians. We are committed to facilitating a deal that improves conditions for both parties," he added

The visit was also reported by Israeli media which alleged the delegation discussed Trump's "peace initiative" with the Saudis.

It is not clear whether representatives of the Palestinian Authority were present to engage in the discussions.

The unannounced trip marks the third visit to the kingdom since Trump entered the White House in January.

In May, Kushner accompanied Trump on an official visit to Riyadh where a $110 billion arms deal between the two allies was signed.

Three months later, Kushner made his second visit, along with Powell and Greenblatt, to address the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.