Sir Tony Blair has expressed his honour at being named to a pivotal executive board that will drive former US President Donald Trump's ambitious plans to rebuild Gaza and pursue long-term Middle East peace.
High-Profile Appointments to New Peace Board
The White House announcement on Friday listed the former Labour Prime Minister alongside a roster of prominent Trump administration figures and international leaders. This group forms the "founding executive board" for the operational arm of a broader Board of Peace, which President Trump himself will chair alongside other, yet-to-be-named serving world leaders.
In a characteristically bold statement ahead of the reveal, Mr Trump heralded it as "the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place." The listed officials include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and Mr Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Blair's Commitment to a New Vision for Gaza
In his official response, Sir Tony thanked President Trump for his leadership. "I am honoured to be appointed to its executive board," he stated, adding that it had been a "real privilege" to work with Witkoff and Kushner's team already. He pledged to work towards the president's vision for peace and prosperity.
Blair praised Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza as an "extraordinary achievement," while cautioning that its implementation would demand enormous commitment and hard work. He outlined a dual ambition for the plan: offering Gazans hope for a future distinct from the past, and providing Israelis with assurance that a repeat of the October 7, 2023 attacks is prevented.
"We want a Gaza which does not reconstruct Gaza as it was but as it could and should be," he emphasised.
Operationalising the 'Phase Two' Strategy
The White House clarified that the founding executive board's role is to "operationalise the Board of Peace's vision." Individual members are expected to take on specialist portfolios aimed at Gaza's stabilisation. This move signals the launch of what the Trump administration calls "phase two" of its Gaza strategy.
According to Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, this next phase shifts focus beyond securing a ceasefire towards critical long-term goals:
- Demilitarisation of the region
- Establishment of technocratic governance
- Large-scale reconstruction
Sir Tony also welcomed the separate appointment this week of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), calling it a "massive step forward." Additionally, Blair's name appears on a longer list for a distinct "Gaza executive board," designed to advise the region's newly formed interim government.
The former Prime Minister concluded by reaffirming his personal commitment and that of his institute to the outcome, once again crediting President Trump's leadership for making the new peace framework possible.
