Kushner Allegedly Accessed UAE Fund, Netanyahu Encouraged Israel Transfer

An investigation by Vanity Fair alleges that Jared Kushner, former White House advisor and son-in-law of ex-President Donald Trump, was granted access to a UAE-based foundation account holding $750 million. The report also claims that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu encouraged Kushner to transfer $1 billion to Israel. These allegations stem from a cyber intrusion and phone monitoring that reportedly uncovered financial dealings involving Kushner, UAE and Saudi leaders, and offshore bank accounts.

The investigation suggests that Dutch intelligence, after recruiting a Russian hacker in late 2017, gained access to a Russian military intelligence server. Among the files found were screenshots from Kushner's iPhone, revealing a security vulnerability that allowed monitoring of his screen. Through this, intelligence operatives allegedly observed Kushner accessing a UAE bank account, to which hundreds of millions of dollars had been transferred via an Azerbaijani bank. The report states Kushner moved significant sums from this Dubai account to individuals described as linked to war, mercenaries, and hired killers, though their identities and the purpose of the transfers were not specified.

The first account, named "Alpha," was reportedly managed by First Abu Dhabi Bank and received approximately $750 million since 2017, with Saudi and Emirati involvement. While Kushner was not the official owner, he had signatory authority. The account was allegedly owned by the Emirati charity "Watanai UAE," funded by the UAE government, and used as a cover for secret military and intelligence activities abroad, including arms purchases. Emirati officials reportedly believed using a charity would reduce international scrutiny of transactions for covert military operations.

Furthermore, the investigation details discussions between Kushner, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman early in Trump's presidency regarding a secret fund exceeding $10 billion. The fund's purported goal was to finance foreign policy objectives, including bolstering MBS's position, undermining the Iran nuclear deal, and advancing an Israeli-Palestinian settlement. Discussions also included potentially funding Trump's proposed border wall. The plan was allegedly not executed as originally conceived, with funds instead distributed to separate accounts linked to Kushner.

A second account, "Beta," reportedly received about $1 billion transferred by Mohammed bin Zayed via Azerbaijan in spring 2018 for Kushner's benefit. A source cited in the report claims Netanyahu encouraged Kushner to deposit these funds into an Israeli bank account, making it appear as a government account. The funds were allegedly for Kushner's personal use, and Netanyahu reportedly asked Kushner to inform him before any transactions. Kushner allegedly relayed these messages through then-U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, who denies any knowledge of these Emirati funds or involvement in relaying messages, calling the allegations "completely false."

Kushner has vehemently denied all accusations, calling them "completely false" and "utterly insane." He stated that Vanity Fair published excerpts from a book containing "scandalous and completely false" claims, asserting that his team had officially denied them. Kushner argued that the investigation lacked verifiable evidence such as bank statements or transaction records and that these claims did not surface during extensive media scrutiny, congressional investigations, or Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe because they never happened. His lawyer also denied the existence of the accounts and stated Kushner had no knowledge of them, asserting his client complied with all legal requirements during his White House tenure.