Late on Friday 16 January evening, Donald Trump’s White House announced the formation of the founding executive council of the ‘Peace Board’ in the Palestinian Gaza Strip, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkow, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as members.
Trump’s Peace Board: anything but that
The White House added in a statement that the formation will also include American businessman Mark Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, former US envoy for economic peace agreements Arieh Lightstone, and Federal Procurement Commissioner Josh Greenbaum as senior advisers to the board.
The statement explained that Lightstone and Greenbaum will lead strategy and day-to-day operations, working to translate Trump’s Peace Board’s mandate and diplomatic priorities into disciplined and effective implementation.
It noted that each member of the Executive Board will oversee a specific portfolio that is critical to the stability and long-term success of the Gaza Strip, including governance capacity building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale financing, and capital mobilisation.
The statement said that the appointed members are: Marco Rubio, Steve Whitkof, Jared Kushner, Tony Blair, Mark Rowan, Ajay Banga, and Robert Gabriel.
The Peace Board will also include former international envoy to the Middle East Nikolay Mladenov, a member of the executive council, who will serve as the high representative for the Gaza Strip.
The White House noted that Mladenov will serve as a field liaison between the Peace Board and the National Committee for the Management of Gaza, supporting the council’s oversight of all aspects of governance, reconstruction, and development in the Strip, while ensuring coordination between civilian and security tracks.
The statement noted the appointment of US Major General Jasper Geffers as commander of the International Stabilisation Force, explaining that an Executive Council for Gaza is being established to support the Office of the High Representative and the National Committee for the Management of Gaza, where he will lead security operations, support comprehensive disarmament, and enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials.
Gaza Executive Council
The White House stated that a ‘Gaza Executive Council’ has been established, which will contribute to promoting effective governance and providing high-quality services that promote peace, stability and prosperity for the people of Gaza.
Members of the Gaza Executive Council:
• Steve Whitkow
• Jared Kushner
• Hakan Fidan (Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs)
• Ali Al-Thawadi (Advisor to the Prime Minister of Qatar for Strategic Affairs)
• Hassan Rashad (Head of Egyptian General Intelligence)
• Tony Blair
• Mark Rowan
• Reem Al Hashimi (Minister of State for International Cooperation in the UAE)
• Nikolay Mladenov
• Yakar Gabay (Israeli businessman with Cypriot citizenship)
• Sigrid Kaag (Dutch diplomat)
The US affirmed its full commitment to supporting the transitional framework and working in partnership with Israel, key Arab states and the international community to achieve the goals of the comprehensive plan.
Trump called on all parties to cooperate fully with the National Committee for the Management of Gaza, the Peace Board, and the International Stabilisation Force to ensure the rapid and successful implementation of the plan.
The statement noted that additional members of the Executive Council and the Gaza Executive Council will be announced in the coming weeks.
A colonial takeover by the US
Trump reaffirmed envoy Steve Whitcomb’s announcement of the start of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, confirming his support for the new technocratic government and announcing the formation of a ‘Peace Board’ in the Strip.
Trump said on Truth Social:
As Chairman of the Peace Council, I support the newly appointed Palestinian technocratic government, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, with the support of the High Representative of the Council, to govern Gaza during its transition phase… These Palestinian leaders are firmly committed to a peaceful future.
He added:
With the support of Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, we will secure a comprehensive disarmament agreement with Hamas, including the surrender of all weapons and the dismantling of all tunnels… Hamas must immediately fulfil its obligations, including returning the last body to Israel and moving forward without delay towards complete disarmament.
Trump concluded by saying:
As I have said before, they can do it the easy way or the hard way… The people of Gaza have suffered enough… Now is the time.
Of course, Trump’s Peace Board is little more than a colonial and corporate takeover by the US and Israel. Whether it brings peace or not remains to be seen.
Featured image via the Canary
By Steve Topple
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