Dagens Nyheter50 minutes agoBusiness2 min read

Jared Kushner's business ties to the Israeli military through Affinity Partners are under scrutiny by CNN

Quick Look

CNN has been looking into Jared Kushner's venture capital firm Affinity Partners and its indirect ties to Israeli defense companies through its ownership in Phoenix Financial, which invests in arms manufacturers such as Elbit Systems.
Although Kushner does not hold a government job and thus does not have to declare his financial interests, the audit shows that his company benefits from Phoenix Financial's profits, which come in part from companies that supply military equipment to Israel.
Kushner's lawyers and the White House deny that his diplomatic work affects his business.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump, has been involved in US diplomatic efforts surrounding the conflicts in Gaza and Iran, despite holding no official government position. His venture capital firm Affinity Partners has made investments through the Israeli finance company Phoenix Financial, which in turn has holdings in defense companies that supply Israel's military.

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Jared Kushner has been one of the US's key negotiators in peace talks on the war in both Gaza and Iran. The role is not a government job, meaning Jared Kushner's finances are not subject to government scrutiny. Now CNN has instead mapped parts of his venture capital company Affinity Partners via Israeli public documents.

The company holds the largest ownership stake in the Israeli financial group Phoenix Financial, which in turn has holdings in companies deeply involved in Israel's military. Kushner has called the investment in Phoenix one of Affinity's best.

Among other things, the group has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Elbit Systems, Israel's largest weapons manufacturer. In addition, Phoenix has stakes in at least eight other companies that supply equipment - drones and warships - to Israel's military. The companies' stock values rose in 2025. Several stated that it was due to the war in Gaza.

The businessman, who is considered one of the architects behind the ceasefire in Gaza, has previously spoken about his dual roles. He has argued that opportunities for entrepreneurship and financial gains are the best way to achieve sustainable peace.

Since the ceasefire came into effect, fighting and the death toll have continued to rise in Gaza.

CNN writes that Affinity does not have a direct ownership in the companies connected to Israel's military. But the company benefits from the fact that Phoenix Financials, which also has investments in several other industries, is making a profit.

The businessman's lawyers say Kushner's contact with the group has decreased since he became more involved in US diplomacy.

"Any suggestion that Jared's diplomatic work affected Phoenix's investments in the companies you mention - or vice versa - is false," said one of the lawyers.

Anna Kelly, the White House deputy press secretary, says Kushner's business activities have nothing to do with his diplomatic mission.

Kushner: Gaza plan is win-win for Israel

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

Demands for greater transparency in Jared Kushner's business may increase if new information about his financial interests emerges.
Possible · Within weeks

Open Questions

How big is Affinity Partners' actual financial exposure to Israeli defense companies?
Has Jared Kushner received any compensation or dividends from his investments through Phoenix Financial?
Are there any mechanisms for transparency or control of his private affairs in light of his diplomatic role?

Quick Look

CNN has been looking into Jared Kushner's venture capital firm Affinity Partners and its indirect ties to Israeli defense companies through its ownership in Phoenix Financial, which invests in arms manufacturers such as Elbit Systems.
Although Kushner does not hold a government job and thus does not have to declare his financial interests, the audit shows that his company benefits from Phoenix Financial's profits, which come in part from companies that supply military equipment to Israel.
Kushner's lawyers and the White House deny that his diplomatic work affects his business.

AI-generated summary

Story signals

News tone: Sensitive
Emotional intensity: High
News value: High
Global impact: Global
Urgency: Developing
Follow-up likelihood: Likely
Relevance window: Weeks

Source & Reliability

Source: Dagens Nyheter
Story type: Investigative
Source quality: Full
Published: 50 minutes ago

Dagens Nyheter50 minutes agoBusiness2 min read

Jared Kushner's business ties to the Israeli military through Affinity Partners are under scrutiny by CNN

Quick Look

CNN has been looking into Jared Kushner's venture capital firm Affinity Partners and its indirect ties to Israeli defense companies through its ownership in Phoenix Financial, which invests in arms manufacturers such as Elbit Systems.
Although Kushner does not hold a government job and thus does not have to declare his financial interests, the audit shows that his company benefits from Phoenix Financial's profits, which come in part from companies that supply military equipment to Israel.
Kushner's lawyers and the White House deny that his diplomatic work affects his business.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

Font size

Since the ceasefire came into effect, fighting and the death toll have continued to rise in Gaza.

The businessman's lawyers say Kushner's contact with the group has decreased since he became more involved in US diplomacy.

"Any suggestion that Jared's diplomatic work affected Phoenix's investments in the companies you mention - or vice versa - is false," said one of the lawyers.

Anna Kelly, the White House deputy press secretary, says Kushner's business activities have nothing to do with his diplomatic mission.

Kushner: Gaza plan is win-win for Israel

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

Demands for greater transparency in Jared Kushner's business may increase if new information about his financial interests emerges.
Possible · Within weeks

Open Questions

How big is Affinity Partners' actual financial exposure to Israeli defense companies?
Has Jared Kushner received any compensation or dividends from his investments through Phoenix Financial?
Are there any mechanisms for transparency or control of his private affairs in light of his diplomatic role?

Quick Look

CNN has been looking into Jared Kushner's venture capital firm Affinity Partners and its indirect ties to Israeli defense companies through its ownership in Phoenix Financial, which invests in arms manufacturers such as Elbit Systems.
Although Kushner does not hold a government job and thus does not have to declare his financial interests, the audit shows that his company benefits from Phoenix Financial's profits, which come in part from companies that supply military equipment to Israel.
Kushner's lawyers and the White House deny that his diplomatic work affects his business.

AI-generated summary