A real estate mogul, Trump’s son-in-law and a billionaire businessman: Who is on the ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza?
The White House has released the names of the officials who will be on Donald Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace” for Gaza.
The names included US secretary of state Marco Rubio, Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British prime minister Tony Blair and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, the White House said.
The US president, who will serve as chair, called it “the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place” ahead of the announcement.
“The United States remains fully committed to supporting this transitional framework, working in close partnership with Israel, key Arab nations, and the international community to achieve the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan,” a statement released on Friday read.
This week, a national committee for the administration of Gaza (Ncag), a separate 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee, was appointed. The committee is tasked with running daily affairs in Gaza in the aftermath of the Israeli bombardments, overseen by Ali Sha’ath, a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority.
“The President calls on all parties to cooperate fully with the NCAG [National Committee for the Administration of Gaza], the Board of Peace, and the International Stabilization Force to ensure the swift and successful implementation of the Comprehensive Plan,” a White House statement said.
The names do not include any Palestinians. The White House said more members will be announced over the coming weeks.
The White House also named an 11-member “Gaza Executive Board” that will include Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the U.N. special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Sigrid Kaag, the United Arab Emirates minister for international cooperation, Reem Al-Hashimy, and Israeli-Cypriot billionaire Yakir Gabay, along with some members of the executive board.
Many rights experts and advocates have previously said that Trump overseeing a board to supervise a foreign territory’s governance resembled a colonial structure.
The former PM remains a divisive figure in the Middle East due to his role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He later became a representative of the Quartet, a group seeking peace between Israel and the Palestinians made up of the U.S., E.U., Russia and the United Nations, but stepped down after being deemed too close to Israel.
Sir Tony said in a statement: “I thank President Trump for his leadership in establishing the Board of Peace and am honoured to be appointed to its executive board.
“It’s been a real privilege to work with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and their outstanding team.
“I look forward to working with them and other colleagues in line with the president’s vision to promote peace and prosperity.”
He said the president’s 20-point plan for Gaza was an “extraordinary achievement” and that implementing it will take “enormous commitment and hard work”.
