Trump appoints Blair, Kushner and Rubio to Gaza ‘board of peace’ | US foreign policy
Donald Trump has named US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to the newly created Gaza “Peace Council”, a body he says will lead the next phase of reconstruction and governance in the war-ravaged territory.
The White House said the seven-member “founding executive council” would also include Trump’s special envoy, real estate developer Steve Witkoff; World Bank President Ajay Banga; and the president’s son-in-law and longtime advisor Jared Kushner. Trump himself will assume the presidency, and other appointments are expected in the coming weeks.
“Each board member will oversee a defined portfolio critical to the stabilization and long-term success of Gaza, including, but not limited to, strengthening governance capacity, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale financing, and capital mobilization,” a White House statement said.
“The United States remains fully committed to supporting this transition framework, working in close partnership with Israel, major Arab nations and the international community. »
Blair’s inclusion is likely to prove controversial in the region. The former Labor leader remains a divisive figure in the Middle East due to his role in the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.
Shortly after leaving office in 2007, he became special representative of the Quartet, a group made up of the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations seeking peace between Israel and the Palestinians. But he became seen as too close to the Israelis and resigned in 2015.
Acknowledging that Blair remains a divisive figure, Trump conceded last October: “I’ve always liked Tony, but I want to find out that he’s an acceptable choice for everyone.” »
The president also named Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gruenbaum as senior advisors to the board to oversee “strategy and day-to-day operations.” Nickolay Mladenov, Bulgarian politician and former UN envoy to the Middle East, will be the high representative for Gaza.
The list was made public a day after Trump announced the formation of the “peace council” as part of the second phase of the U.S.-brokered plan to end the conflict in Gaza. In typically effusive fashion, the president described it as “the largest and most prestigious board of directors ever assembled at any time and place.”
Its creation follows the formation of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee charged with managing daily affairs in the post-war Gaza Strip. The body will be headed by Ali Sha’ath, a Gaza native and former deputy minister of the Palestinian Authority.
The White House said: “Dr. Sha’ath brings deep experience in public administration, economic development and international engagement, and is widely respected for his pragmatic, technocratic leadership and understanding of Gaza’s institutional realities. »
Trump also named former US Special Forces chief Major General Jasper Jeffers to head the International Stabilization Force (ISF), tasked with overseeing security across the country.
The US-backed peace plan, launched on October 10, resulted in the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas and a cessation of fighting between Israel and the militant group. The second phase is now underway, although reports of aid shortages and sporadic violence continue to cast a shadow over the process.
Since the ceasefire, Israel has also demolished thousands of structures that survived the war, including houses and greenhouses, in the part of Gaza still controlled.
Hamas has yet to publicly commit to complete disarmament – a key demand from Israel and one of the most controversial elements of the long-term settlement.
Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro said Friday: “The success of phase two of the ceasefire in Gaza depends on the full implementation of phase one, which is still lacking in several key areas, including the delivery of humanitarian aid, the cessation of Israeli military strikes, and the return of the last deceased hostage held by Hamas, Ran Gvili… The war must finally end before peace can be built. »
Seth Masket, a political scientist at the University of Denver, suggested the board’s name had been undermined by Trump’s bellicose actions. “I hope he can find time to attend Peace Council meetings between meetings on the invasions of Venezuela, Iran, Greenland, Canada and Minneapolis,” Masket observed on social media.
