Jared Kushner Speaks at Embassy Opening: The ‘Journey to Peace’ Begins With America ‘Recognizing the Truth’

Jared Kushner,  presidential advisor and son-in-law to President Donald Trump, delivered remarks Monday morning at the opening of the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem — saying the “journey to peace” begins with a “strong America” that “recognizes the truth.”

In an approximately 10-minute long address, Kushner also spoke about the recently announced U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.

“Last week President Trump acknowledged another truth and kept another promise. He announced his intention to exit the dangerous, flawed and one-sided Iran deal,” Kushner said to a standing ovation. “Iran’s aggression threatens many peace-loving citizens throughout the region and the entire world from Israel to Jordan to Egypt to Saudi Arabia and beyond, many leaders are fighting to modernize their countries and create better lives for their people,” he added.

“When there is peace in this region, we will look back upon this day and remember that the journey to peace started with a strong America, recognizing the truth. The pursuit of peace is the noblest pursuit of humankind. I believe peace is within reach if we dare to believe that the future can be different from the past, that we are not condemned to relive history, and that the way things were is not how they must forever be,” Kushner continued.

Kushner, who is Jewish, noted the unique history of Jerusalem to three of the world’s major religions: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. Kushner, whose grandparents survived Nazi persecution during World War II, is on the team that Trump has appointed to pursue a Middle East peace deal between the Jews and Palestinians.

By moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the U.S. officially acknowledged Jerusalem as the official capital of Israel.

[image via screengrab]

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