Saudi officials identified Jared Kushner as a key target to woo even before Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman struck up a friendship with President Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, according to reports.
The relationship between Kushner and Crown Prince Mohammed has endured with protocol-bending private communications, even after Saudi agents killed Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in October, the New York Times reports.
According to the Times, the courtship began after a delegation working for the crown prince visited New York City in November 2016 to discuss possible cooperation with the incoming Trump administration.
The Saudi delegation reportedly compiled a slideshow with their findings, noting that “[t]he inner circle is predominantly deal makers who lack familiarity with political customs and deep institutions, and they support Jared Kushner.”
“Kushner made clear his lack of familiarity with the history of Saudi-American relations and he asked about its support for terrorism,” a slide reportedly said. “After the discussion, he expressed his satisfaction with what was explained about the Saudi role in fighting terrorism.”
The document identified Kushner as largely interested in resolving the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and outlined various bridge-building offers, including purchases of U.S. arms and efforts to counter Islamic extremism.
Kushner reportedly questioned the delegation’s motives, however, according to a slide that says “Kushner wondered about Saudi Arabia’s desire for partnership and whether it came from opportunity or worry.”
Among the reported offers to Kushner were a regional military alliance that would be “ready when the president-elect wishes to deploy them,” a slide said.
The slideshow was first reported by Lebanon’s Al Akhbar newspaper, which is linked to Hezbollah and Iran. The Times reports that it was able to corroborate Saudi delegation meetings and the content of some discussions.
A March 2017 visit to the White House by Crown Prince Mohammed is believed to have been the first in-person meeting between the prince and Kushner, but two people told the Times that Kushner had claimed they spoke several times before.
Unnamed sources to the Times that Kushner continued to speak informally with the crown prince after Khashoggi’s Oct. 2 slaying inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The CIA assessed that Crown Prince Mohammed likely ordered the killing, but Trump stood by Saudi leaders, describing the relationship as beneficial to the U.S. economy.
Just one post-Khashoggi conversation with the prince has been reported by the White House: an Oct. 10 phone call for which Kushner was joined by national security adviser John Bolton.
The White House defended Kushner, with a spokesperson saying in a statement, “Jared has always meticulously followed protocols and guidelines regarding the relationship with [Crown Prince Mohammed] and all of the other foreign officials with whom he interacts.”
[Read more: State Department rejects calls to expel Saudi ambassador to US over his brother’s role in Khashoggi murder]
