Kushner Questions Whether Palestinians Are Capable Of Governing Themselves Without Israelis

Jared Kushner on why the Palestinians would accept his Middle East peace plan:

"I'm not here to be trusted...They're gonna judge it based on the facts and then make a determination. Do they think this will allow them to have a pathway to a better life or not?" @dctvny @hbodocs pic.twitter.com/JnpwsmWyM9

— Axios (@axios) June 2, 2019

Swan: Do you believe that the Palestinians are capable of governing themselves without Israeli interference?

Kushner: I think that's a very good question. I think that that's one that we'll have to see. The hope is is that they, over time, can become capable of governing ...

Swan: They being the Palestinians.

Kushner: The Palestinians. I think there are some things that the current Palestinian government has done well and there are some things that are lacking. And I do think that in order for the area to be investable, for investors to come in and want to invest in different industries and infrastructure and create jobs, you do need to have a fair judicial system, freedom of press, freedom of expression, tolerance for all religions, and so ...

Swan: Can they have freedom from any Israeli government or military interference?

Kushner: I think that it's a high bar.

Swan: Do you believe the Palestinian people deserve their own independent sovereign state with a capital in East Jerusalem?

Kushner: There's a difference between the technocrats and there's a difference between the people. The technocrats are focused on very technocratic things, and when I speak to Palestinian people, what they want is they want the opportunity to live a better life. They want the opportunity to pay their mortgage, to have ...

Swan: You don't think they want their own state, free from Israeli government and military?

Kushner: I think that they want an opportunity.