Tony Blair has been dropped from consideration for a position on US President Donald Trump’s proposed “board of peace” for Gaza, following objections from several Arab and Muslim states, the Financial Times reported on Monday.
The Trump Gaza peace plan envisions a "board of peace" of international overseers led by Trump himself. The Gaza Strip would be placed under the temporary transitional governance of a "technocratic, apolitical" committee made up of Palestinian and international experts, which the board of peace would oversee.
This group would set the framework and handle funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until the Palestinian Authority can assume power.
Blair, the former UK prime minister, was the only individual initially named by Trump when the US president unveiled his 20-point plan to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas in late September.
Trump had praised Blair as a “very good man,” and Blair had expressed support for the plan, describing it as “bold and intelligent.” He had also indicated his willingness to serve on the board.
However, the report explained that the plan had encountered resistance from certain leaders in the region, primarily due to Blair’s support for the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, which had impacted his reputation in the Middle East.
Concerns were also reportedly raised about the potential marginalization of Palestinian representation in the proposed governance structure.
Blair’s office declined to comment, but a source close to the former prime minister, speaking to the Financial Times, denied that regional opposition was the reason for his exclusion. The source explained that Blair, as a former prime minister, did not meet the qualifications for the “board of peace,” which is expected to consist of serving world leaders.
Blair is expected to join a smaller executive committee
The report said that Blair is instead expected to be part of a smaller executive committee, which will include figures such as Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former Middle East envoy, and Trump adviser Steve Witkoff. Senior officials from both Arab and Western countries are also expected to join the committee.
Trump acknowledged the possibility of opposition to Blair’s appointment in October, stating that while he liked Blair personally, he wanted to ensure that his inclusion was “acceptable” to all parties involved.
Blair had been working independently on Gaza-related plans through his Tony Blair Institute and had coordinated with Kushner to develop ideas for the region. Despite being removed from the main board, sources indicated that Blair could still have a role in Gaza’s future governance.
“He could still have a role in a different capacity, and that seems likely,” a source told the Financial Times. “The Americans like him and the Israelis like him."
No additional members of the “board of peace” have been named since Trump's plan was announced in late September.
Sources told the Financial Times that Nickolay Mladenov, the former UN special envoy for the Middle East, is set to lead an executive committee as part of the postwar governance structure for Gaza.
According to the report, Mladenov’s role will involve coordinating efforts between the “board of peace” and a Palestinian technocratic committee responsible for Gaza’s day-to-day administration.
Reuters contributed to this report.