New Book Alleges Netanyahu Aided Kushner in Concealing UAE Funds

Investigative journalist Matthew Cole claims in his new book that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly encouraged Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump, to transfer approximately $1 billion received secretly from the UAE to an account at the Bank of Israel. Cole's book, "Princes and Thieves," also alleges that Netanyahu demanded to be updated before any transactions were made with the funds. The money, reportedly transferred to Israel via Azerbaijan in 2018, was intended for Kushner's personal benefit and was part of a secret network of accounts totaling around $2 billion, allegedly funded by UAE and Saudi rulers during Trump's first term.

According to the book, which relies on intelligence sources and individuals allegedly privy to the secret arrangements, Netanyahu was involved in managing one of the accounts. A source briefed on the matter told Cole that Netanyahu advised Kushner to deposit the money in the Bank of Israel to make it appear as a government account, though private accounts cannot be opened there. Communications between Kushner and Netanyahu regarding these transactions were allegedly facilitated by then-U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, who has denied any knowledge or involvement.

The arrangement's purpose, the report claims, was to conceal the connection between funds transferred by UAE ruler Mohammed bin Zayed and Kushner. Another source suggested that a significant portion of the money was later moved to accounts in Cyprus and other destinations. The report traces the origins of the funds to late 2017, when Dutch intelligence discovered Russian hackers had accessed Kushner's iPhone, revealing his access to a bank account in Dubai managed by a UAE-affiliated charity, reportedly holding hundreds of millions of dollars from Saudi Arabia and the UAE since 2017.

Cole posits that the scheme was part of a broader agreement between Kushner, bin Zayed, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to advance shared interests: bin Zayed sought the cancellation of the Iran nuclear deal, bin Salman aimed to solidify his path to the Saudi throne, and Kushner desired to leverage them to pressure Palestinians into accepting an Israeli-approved deal. Kushner allegedly promised to advance UAE interests with Trump in exchange for their financial participation, viewing normalization with Israel as a pathway to new business opportunities.

The book also suggests Kushner's family real estate business faced financial pressures at the time, including a $1 billion loan. Beyond financial dealings, Cole alleges Kushner was involved in a secret security arrangement where Israel committed to defending the UAE against a major Iranian attack, with Abu Dhabi allegedly transferring additional funds to the Bank of Israel for this purpose, even before the Abraham Accords were signed. Cole raises concerns that Kushner's access to foreign funds while a public servant could constitute violations of financial disclosure laws, bribery, or unregistered foreign agent activity.

Kushner vehemently denies the allegations, calling them "utterly insane" and "completely false," stating that no evidence has been provided and that these claims never surfaced during extensive investigations he underwent. He characterized the publication as a "scandalous fabrication" and a "mix of fantasy, fiction, and agenda."