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Edited by: Fern Sidman
Ivanka Trump, daughter of former President Donald Trump, and her husband Jared Kushner embarked on a heartfelt solidarity visit to Israel. As the couple landed early Thursday, their agenda included meetings with key Israeli figures, a tour near the Gaza border, a visit to Kibbutz Kfar Aza to listen to the stories from survivors of the October 7th Hamas massacre and to show unwavering support to the families of those taken captive by Hamas.
🔴 Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner visit Southern Israeli Kibbutz in Solidarity Trip:
🔹️The daughter of former U.S. President Donald #Trump
and her husband spoke to locals who shared their tragic storied from #October7🔹️#IvankaTrump and husband #JaredKushner met with… pic.twitter.com/w7DOWwDJus
— Schulla (@Schulla007) December 22, 2023
As was reported by the Wall Street Journal on Thursday, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were warmly received by Knesset speaker Amir Ohana upon their arrival, according to the WSJ report. The couple then embarked on a guided tour near the southern border with Gaza, notably visiting the Kfar Aza kibbutz, a location targeted during the Hamas-led assault on October 7, as reported by Israeli media. This visit was not only a demonstration of support but also an opportunity for the couple to witness firsthand the challenges faced by the Israeli people.
Later in the evening, the couple was expected to meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, marking a crucial diplomatic engagement during their visit, as noted in the WSJ report. Such meetings could shed light on the evolving dynamics between the Trump family and Israel’s leadership.
While Ivanka Trump has asserted that she will not be part of any future Trump administration, Jared Kushner has indicated that he does not plan to involve himself in Donald Trump’s presidential campaign for the time being, the WSJ report said. Donald Trump himself has publicly stated that he does not anticipate Ivanka or Kushner returning to the administration if he wins in 2024. The political landscape is, however, subject to change, and the visit has sparked questions about its potential political ramifications.
A source familiar with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner’s visit emphasized that the trip was not politically motivated and had no connection to former President Trump’s potential re-election bid, as was reported by the WSJ and a gamut of other reliable news sources. The primary intention, according to the source, was to demonstrate support for the people of Israel during these particularly challenging times of war with Hamas in Gaza, the WSJ report added.
The visit occurs at a time when a recent Wall Street Journal poll suggests that Donald Trump has surged ahead of President Biden in a hypothetical 2024 presidential matchup, as per the WSJ report. Conversely, President Biden is facing criticism from U.S. voters regarding his response to ongoing conflicts, with only 37% approving of his handling of the situation compared to 52% who disapprove.
President Biden, under pressure to intervene in Israel’s military operations in Gaza, has criticized Israel for what he termed “indiscriminate bombing.” Despite this, he has refrained from calling for a cease-fire and has reiterated his unwavering support for Israel, the WSJ reported. The delicate balance in Biden’s approach may impact his standing among voters, especially considering the divided opinions within his own party.
The visit by the two firmer Trump advisors and family members comes against the backdrop of a notable divide within the Democratic Party on the Israel-Palestine issue.AS was indicated in the WSJ report, approximately a quarter of Democrats express more sympathy for Palestinians, while Republicans overwhelmingly lean towards supporting Israelis. Party affiliation remains a pivotal factor in shaping Americans’ perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
