Tony Blair and Jared Kushner appointed to Trump's Board of Peace for Gaza as critics slam plan as 'joke'

Sir Tony’s name was listed alongside high-profile Trump administration officials as part of a “founding executive board” to lead long-term peace efforts in the Middle East, published by the White House.

The list also included US secretary of state Marco Rubio, special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and Mr Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

The other members named were billionaire Marc Rowan, World Bank president Ajay Banga, and US deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel.

The White House statement also said that Nickolay Mladenov, a Bulgarian politician and former UN Middle East envoy, would be the board's representative on the ground in Gaza.

Journalist Mehdi Hasan slammed the appointments as a "joke", pointing out there are no Palestinians or Arabs on the board.

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Sir Roger Gale, Conservative MP for Herne Bay and Sandwich, was also critical of the appointment.

He told David Harper on LBC News: "I can't say I'm hugely enamoured of the idea."

"There's no doubt whatsoever that Tony Blair, as a former Prime Minister and his work since being Prime Minister, has a very considerable amount of expertise in matters relating to the Middle East," he continued.

"And one can't gainsay that. But by the same token, he also carries a very great deal of baggage, most particularly stemming from the Iraq War.

"And I think anybody involved in this so-called peace process, and I say so-called because I have some reservations about most of what Mr. Trump is doing, has to be like Caesar's Wife... to be seen to be whiter than white."

Gershon Baskin, a former Israeli hostage negotiator, told David Harper on LBC News that Sir Tony will bring much needed expertise to the reconstruction committee.

He called Sir Tony "one of the most experienced, knowledgeable people in the world today with regard to the Israeli Palestinian conflict".

He said: "Tony Blair has been engaged all these years through the Tony Blair Institute. He has a team of Israelis and Palestinians that he's worked with for years.

"I personally think that his addition to the team of the Board of Peace is very, very positive.

"I've spoken with Mr Blair several times over the last months and he has a very clear understanding of the conflict and of what needs to be done to resolve the conflict."

The founding board - chaired by Mr Trump - will help "operationalise the Board of Peace's vision", the White House said, and suggested the individual members of this group would each hold specialist portfolios to help "stabilisation" efforts in Gaza.

In a statement, the White House said the 20-point plan was a road map for "lasting peace, stability, reconstruction, and prosperity in the region".

The statement went on: "Each executive board member will oversee a defined portfolio critical to Gaza's stabilisation and long-term success, including, but not limited to, governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilisation."

The former Labour prime minister's name also appeared on a longer list of names as part of a "Gaza Executive Board", the purpose of which appears to be advising a newly set up interim government for Gaza.

That interim authority, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, was established on Wednesday, led by "technocratic" Palestinian officials.

Sir Tony and 10 others, including Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner, will support this fledgling government on "effective governance and the delivery of best-in-class services that advance peace, stability, and prosperity for the people of Gaza".

Mr Trump teased the announcement of the peace board's membership ahead of time.

Writing on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, he said: "The Members of the Board will be announced shortly, but I can say with certainty that it is the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place."

Sir Tony's statement following the White House announcement, said: “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. I also warmly welcome the appointment of Nickolay Mladenov, as High Representative, someone with whom I’ve worked before and for whom I have great respect.

“For Gaza, the President’s 20 point plan to end the war was an extraordinary achievement. It was something many thought could not happen. The war did end and the hostages, (bar one Rani Gvili whose release will continue to be a priority), released. I want to thank all the parties involved and particularly the mediators.

“The passing of the UN resolution endorsing that plan was also a diplomatic triumph. But we know the implementation of the plan will take enormous commitment and hard work. The appointment this week of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza is a massive step forward. It gives hope to people in Gaza that they can have a future different from the past and to the Israelis that they may have a neighbour which does not threaten its security. For Gaza and its people, we want a Gaza which does not reconstruct Gaza as it was but as it could and should be. And for the Israelis we want to ensure that the horrific events of October 7 2023 are never repeated. Both myself personally and my Institute will continue to work and commit for this outcome and again I thank President Trump for his leadership which made this possible.”