Jared Kushner Firm's Billions in Israeli Investments Revealed Amid War

Jared Kushner's private investment firm, Affinity Partners, has emerged as the largest shareholder in the Israeli financial company Phoenix, holding a 7.4% stake valued at over $1 billion. This finding stems from a new CNN investigation, which utilized Israel's financial transparency laws to detail Kushner's significant business profits during wartime, contrasting with his senior diplomatic role in the Trump administration.

The Phoenix company has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Elbit Systems, Israel's largest defense manufacturer, whose value has surged by more than 165% since the war began due to increased demand for its products. Phoenix also holds stakes in other defense suppliers, including Next Vision, Rafael Technologies, Israel Shipyards, and Ashtrom Ashkelon, alongside smaller investments in American giants Boeing and Caterpillar. These companies have reported business growth attributed to the conflict.

Affinity Partners realized a quarter of its Phoenix holdings in July for over $340 million, representing a fivefold return on the initial investment. This exposure raises serious questions about potential conflicts of interest, as Kushner avoided official government positions that would require full disclosure of his assets, opting instead to serve as a volunteer advisor and envoy mediating regional agreements.

Critics argue this represents an improper intertwining of political considerations and private business. "The people who are profiting should not be the ones making the decisions to set policy," stated Cynthia Brown, Chief for the Center for Public Integrity in Washington.

Kushner's attorneys, however, stated that he never participated in or directed Phoenix's investment decisions and never served on its board, refuting claims that his diplomatic work influenced these investments. The White House dismissed the criticism as a "tired narrative" pushed by Democrats against the Trump family, while administration officials highlighted Kushner's successes in advancing the Abraham Accords and regional deals.