The White House has unveiled the members of the Trump administration's new 'Board of Peace' for Gaza, a committee of technocrats tasked with temporary governance and reconstruction. The board's founding Executive Board, chaired by the US president, will oversee the committee's work. Here's a breakdown of the key members and their roles:
- Sir Tony Blair: The former UK Prime Minister, who served from 1997 to 2007, is a central figure. He took the UK into the Iraq War in 2003, a decision that could be seen as controversial. Despite this, he has been a vocal supporter of Trump's plans for Gaza, calling them the 'best chance of ending two years of war, misery, and suffering'.
- Marco Rubio: As US Secretary of State, Rubio plays a crucial role in shaping foreign policy. Initially, he opposed a ceasefire in Gaza, advocating for Israel's destruction of Hamas. However, he later praised the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal as the 'best' and 'only' plan. Rubio also criticized Israel's annexation plans for the West Bank.
- Steve Witkoff: A real estate magnate and golf partner to Trump, Witkoff is the US Special Envoy to the Middle East. He has been instrumental in Trump's plan for Gaza, focusing on reconstruction and demilitarization, including Hamas disarmament. Witkoff has also been involved in US-led peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
- Jared Kushner: The US president's son-in-law, Kushner is a key mediator in foreign policy negotiations. He has worked alongside Witkoff in the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Gaza wars. Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss peace deal challenges. His comments about Gaza's waterfront property being valuable if focused on livelihoods are notable.
- Marc Rowan: A billionaire and CEO of Apollo Global Management, Rowan was considered for the US Treasury Secretary role. His expertise in private equity could be valuable for Gaza's reconstruction.
- Ajay Banga: President of the World Bank, Banga has advised senior US politicians, including Barack Obama. His career in finance and international development makes him a valuable asset to the board.
- Robert Gabriel: A US national security adviser, Gabriel has worked closely with Trump since his campaign days. He is a special assistant to Stephen Miller, another key Trump advisor.
- Nickolay Mladenov: A Bulgarian politician and former UN Middle East envoy, Mladenov will represent the board in Gaza. He will oversee the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee focused on post-war governance.
