Israel objects to White House selection of candidates for Gaza 'Board of Peace'
Tel Aviv, January 18
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu-led government has objected to US President Donald Trump's selection of candidates for Gaza 'Board of Peace', stating that the appointments were not made in coordination with Israel and "run contrary to its policy."
PM Netanyahu has directed Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar to express Israel's concerns to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
"The announcement regarding the composition of the Gaza Executive Board, which is subordinate to the Board of Peace, was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy. The Prime Minister has instructed the Foreign Affairs Minister to contact the US Secretary of State on this matter," The Israel PM office said in a post on X.
The White House had earlier named both an "Executive Board" and a separate "Gaza Executive Board" as part of its Gaza ceasefire and governance plan.
Israel has specifically objected to the Gaza Executive Board, which is a subordinate and features British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al Thawadi and others.
On Friday, White House unveiled the list of people appointed to the "Board of Peace" to oversee phase two of his 20-Point Peace Plan to end the Gaza conflict.
The executive committee include US State Secretary Marco Rubio, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff, President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, the White House said in a statement.
CEO of Apollo Global Management, Marc Rowan, and US Deputy National Security Adviser, Robert Gabriel, are also on the list.
"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 White House said.
The announcement comes just days after Witkoff announced the launch of the second phase of the US-brokered plan to end Israel's war on Gaza.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting to see Ajay Banga from the World Bank on the main board. Having an Indian-origin global leader involved might bring a more balanced, development-focused perspective to the table. 🤔
With all due respect to the US effort, including Turkey and Qatar on the Gaza board while sidelining Israel's concerns seems like a recipe for more disagreement, not peace. The process needs to be more inclusive from the start.
As an observer from India, we understand the complexity. Any peace plan forced upon a nation is bound to fail. The US should act as a mediator, not a director. Israel's security concerns are legitimate and must be addressed.
Tony Blair and Jared Kushner? Seriously? This looks more like a political reunion than a serious peace board. The focus should be on experts in conflict resolution and regional development, not political figures with baggage.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is heartbreaking. While the politics play out, I hope the "reconstruction and funding" part of this board's mandate gets moving fast. People need homes and hospitals, not just board meetings. 🙏
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.