Trump’s Gaza Peace Picks Include Ex-UK PM, Indian-Origin Banker
Many human rights specialists and campaigners have earlier argued that Trump leading a board to oversee the governance of a foreign territory echoed a colonial-style system, while Blair faced criticism last year over his involvement in the Iraq War.
The White House on Friday announced the names of the so-called “Board of Peace,” which, under President Donald Trump’s plan, will oversee the interim governance of Gaza, where deadly violence continues despite a fragile ceasefire implemented in October.
The White House said the names include US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
According to his plan, unveiled late last year, Trump is the chairman of the board.
Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas signed on to Trump’s plan in October, which stipulates that a Palestinian technocratic body will be overseen by an international “Board of Peace” tasked with supervising the governance of Gaza during a transitional period.
The White House said the board also includes private equity executive and billionaire Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Trump adviser Robert Gabriel. Additionally, former UN Middle East envoy Nikolay Mladenov will serve as the High Representative for Gaza.
The White House statement did not detail the responsibilities of each member.
Several rights experts and advocates had previously said that Trump’s appointment of a board to oversee the governance of a foreign territory resembled a colonial structure, while Blair’s inclusion had drawn criticism last year due to his role in the Iraq War.
The White House said that former U.S. Special Operations commander Major General Jasper Jeffers has been appointed commander of the international stabilization force.
A UN Security Council resolution passed in mid-November authorized the “Board of Peace” and the participating countries to establish the force in Gaza.
Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the ceasefire in Gaza, where more than 440 Palestinians, including over 100 children, and three Israeli soldiers have reportedly been killed since the ceasefire began in October.
Israel’s offensive on Gaza since late 2023 has killed thousands of people, created a hunger crisis, and displaced the entire population of Gaza internally.
Several rights experts, scholars, and UN investigations have said this amounts to genocide.
Israel has said it acted in self-defense after Hamas militants attacked in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages.
