US Special Envoy Jared Kushner has said Israel's upcoming Knesset election is complicating efforts to advance a US-backed plan for Gaza, describing the Israeli government's approach as “a little irrational” in certain respects because of domestic political pressures.
Kushner made the remarks on Sunday during a press conference in Kyiv, where he was appearing alongside fellow US envoy Steve Witkoff and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following talks focused primarily on efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
His comments came as Washington continues to push a proposal involving the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, alongside an Israeli military withdrawal from the territory.
Kushner Points to Israel’s Upcoming Election
Kushner said the United States and Israel broadly agree on what he described as the desired “end state” for Gaza but suggested that Israel's upcoming election was making negotiations more difficult.
“We're working through some political issues in Israel,” Kushner said, adding that the country has an upcoming election that makes the government “a little irrational in certain regards.”
Israel is scheduled to hold its Knesset election on October 27, 2026. The vote is expected to be an important political test for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, with domestic political considerations also influencing debates over Gaza policy.
US Pushes Gaza Disarmament Proposal
Kushner's remarks came amid efforts by Washington to advance the Board of Peace's proposal for Gaza. The plan calls for the decommissioning of weapons held by Hamas and other armed groups and envisages an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
The proposal has encountered resistance from Israel, contributing to a delay in moving the process forward. The question of Hamas' weapons remains one of the central issues in discussions over Gaza's post-war security and political arrangements.
Political Pressure Ahead of October Vote
The upcoming Israeli election has added another layer to the debate over Gaza. Recent reporting has highlighted renewed calls from members of Netanyahu's governing coalition for measures concerning the future of Palestinians in Gaza.
Reuters reported that far-right ministers, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Defence Minister Israel Katz, have renewed calls related to the emigration of Palestinians from Gaza ahead of the election. The proposals have drawn opposition from Arab and Muslim countries.
Kushner Describes Gaza’s Situation
During his Kyiv remarks, Kushner also gave a bleak assessment of conditions in Gaza, saying the territory had been in a deeply dysfunctional state for a long period.
His comments came against the backdrop of continuing disagreements over Gaza's future, including the status of armed groups, Israeli military presence and the political arrangements that could follow any settlement.
The humanitarian and security situation remains highly sensitive, with reports of continuing Israeli military strikes despite the existing ceasefire framework.
Kushner’s Kyiv Visit Focused on Ukraine
Although Kushner's comments on Gaza drew attention, his visit to Kyiv was primarily part of the Trump administration's diplomatic effort concerning the Russia-Ukraine war.
Kushner and Witkoff travelled to Kyiv after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials in Moscow. They held discussions with Zelenskyy on possible steps toward ending the conflict, although the talks did not produce an immediate breakthrough.
Kushner's remarks therefore linked two separate diplomatic tracks involving the Trump administration: efforts to advance a post-war framework for Gaza and negotiations aimed at finding a diplomatic path toward ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
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