Who is on Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ Overseeing Gaza’s Reconstruction?
The White House has unveiled the members of the new Board of Peace tasked with overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction. With President Trump at the helm, this executive group will manage a committee focused on temporary governance and rebuilding efforts in Gaza, a region needing vital stabilization. Each member is expected to handle a portfolio deemed essential for the area’s recovery, though specific responsibilities have yet to be clarified. Additionally, a separate Gaza Executive Board will oversee on-the-ground initiatives spearheaded by the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). This Board of Peace will also include various global leaders, although currently, no women or Palestinians have been appointed to the Executive Board. The White House plans to announce more members in the coming weeks.
Key Members of the Executive Board
– Sir Tony Blair
– The former UK Prime Minister has long been a candidate for Trump’s Board of Peace. He confirmed his interest in September, linking his experience in international politics to the challenges in Gaza.
– Sir Tony served as UK Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007 and was involved in the Iraq War decision in 2003, making his appointment somewhat controversial.
– After his tenure, he acted as Middle East envoy for the Quartet (UN, EU, US, and Russia) from 2007 to 2015. Sir Tony has labelled Trump’s plans for Gaza as potentially transformative for ending years of conflict and distress.
– Marco Rubio
– As a pivotal figure in the Trump administration’s foreign policy, Rubio is currently serving as US Secretary of State.
– Prior to Trump’s return to office, he opposed a ceasefire in Gaza, advocating for Israel to take decisive military action against Hamas. However, he later endorsed the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement as a feasible solution.
– In October, he expressed concerns over the Israeli parliament’s movements toward West Bank annexation.
– Steve Witkoff
– This US Special Envoy to the Middle East is a real estate mogul and a close associate of Trump.
– He has been instrumental in advancing the second phase of the Gaza peace initiative, which emphasizes the reconstruction and disarmament of militant groups.
– Witkoff has also taken part in high-level negotiations for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
– Jared Kushner
– The president’s son-in-law has been heavily involved in mediating foreign policy issues under the Trump administration.
– He participated in discussions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, meeting with key figures such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
– Kushner remarked on the potential for Gaza’s economic revitalization, highlighting its valuable waterfront properties.
– Marc Rowan
– As CEO of Apollo Global Management, Rowan has been a prominent figure in private equity.
– He was considered a potential candidate for US Treasury Secretary during Trump’s earlier administration and now joins the Gaza Executive Board.
– Ajay Banga
– The newly appointed president of the World Bank, Banga has a wealth of experience in economic advisory roles, notably assisting former President Obama.
– An Indian-born American citizen, he has a notable history with Mastercard, having led the company for over a decade.
– Robert Gabriel
– Serving as a national security adviser, Gabriel has been a steadfast ally of Trump since the 2016 campaign, contributing to strategic planning and policy formulation.
Additional Notes
– While Nickolay Mladenov, a former UN Middle East envoy, is not part of the Executive Board, he will represent the Board of Peace on the ground in Gaza. He will lead a specialized Palestinian committee tasked with the daily governance of the area post-conflict.
– This committee, the NCAG, will be guided by Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority.
As the Board of Peace moves forward, the focus will be on establishing a stable and reconstructed Gaza. With key figures in place, the upcoming weeks may see further developments and announcements concerning the future of this ambitious initiative.