Donald Trump's son-in-law asks whether Palestinians can govern themselves

Jared Kushner also blames Palestinian officials for cutting off US financial aid to the region

 Donald Trump's son-in-law and White House aide Jared Kushner said Palestinians still can not control a government. He also avoided promising that the long-awaited Middle East peace plan to be presented by the White House would defend an independent Palestinian state.

"Hopefully, over time, they will be able to rule their own territory," Kushner said in an interview with HBO on Sunday.

Kushner leads White House work for a new peace proposal for Israelis and Palestinians. On Sunday President Donald Trump said he believed an agreement would likely be closed. Diplomatic efforts fell flat after the announcement in 2017 that the US embassy in Israel would be transferred to Jerusalem. The Palestinians have said they will boycott an economic conference in Bahrain this month, promoted by Kushner as the first step in a peace plan.

During the interview, Kushner criticized Palestinian leaders by drawing a distinction between the campaign for an independent state and what it considered to be the Palestinian people's desire for a life of peace and prosperity. Kushner is known for not talking to the press, so much so that the interview with HBO is one of his most extensive public statements since joining the administration led by his father-in-law.

- There are some things that the current Palestinian administration did well, there are also things that still leave something to be desired. To make the area attractive for investment, for investors to be interested in coming and putting money in a diverse industry, infrastructure, creating jobs, I believe it is essential to have a fair judicial system, it is necessary to have freedom of the press, expression and religious tolerance, "Kushner said.