Tony Blair and Trump Named in U.S. Proposal for ‘Interim’ Governance in Gaza

A U.S. peace plan released Monday by the White House to end Israel’s war in Gaza includes an unexpected element: roles for two high-profile political figures—former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. President Donald Trump—in overseeing Gaza’s postwar administration.

What does the plan say about interim governance?
According to the proposal, Gaza would be managed under a “technical, non-political Palestinian committee” serving as a temporary transitional authority. The plan does not name any specific Palestinian individuals or groups to take part.

Oversight would be handled by a new international transitional body called the “Peace Board,” chaired by Trump and including Blair and other heads of state. The committee would be responsible for day-to-day municipal services in Gaza, staffed by “qualified Palestinian and international experts.” Hamas would have no role in governance.

Why has the plan raised eyebrows?
Blair’s proposed involvement has shocked many observers, given Britain’s colonial history in the region and Blair’s association with the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, which was justified by false claims that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. That war destabilized the region and caused massive civilian casualties, leaving Blair’s legacy deeply divisive in the Middle East.

What would the body do?
The new governing authority would manage reconstruction funds for Gaza “until the Palestinian Authority completes its reform program,” though no timeline has been set. The plan notes that international groups have drafted investment proposals but does not identify them.

A joint statement from the Palestinian Authority and several Muslim-majority countries welcomed Trump’s initiative as a step toward ending the war.

Blair’s recent involvement
The Tony Blair Institute confirmed he has held “multiple meetings with different groups on Gaza’s reconstruction after the war.” Last month, Blair visited the White House to meet with Trump.

Criticism from Palestinians and rights experts
Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, told The Washington Post: “We were already under British colonialism. His image here is negative. If you mention Tony Blair, people think first of the Iraq war.”

Francesca Albanese, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, was blunter: “Tony Blair? Absolutely not. Stay away from Palestine.”

Blair’s response
Blair called Trump’s plan “a bold and intelligent proposal” and backed the idea of a board overseeing Gaza’s interim governance.

Context
Images of starving Palestinians have fueled international outrage against Israel’s assault on Gaza, which has left thousands dead and the entire population displaced. Human rights experts, scholars, and a U.N. inquiry have described the campaign as tantamount to genocide.

Israel says its operation is an act of self-defense following the October 2023 Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 people and saw more than 250 taken hostage.