Donald Trump’s decision to name former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair to a leading role in overseeing Gaza’s postwar transition has stirred unease among several Arab and Muslim nations, according to diplomats cited by the Financial Times. The pushback underscores the diplomatic hurdles facing Washington’s efforts to shape a governance plan for the war-ravaged enclave once the conflict concludes.
Three diplomats told the FT that a number of Arab and Muslim states had expressed reservations about Blair’s inclusion on a proposed “board of peace” tasked with managing Gaza’s reconstruction and political transition. Their concerns stem largely from Blair’s support for the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq and fears that his approach could marginalise Palestinian representation in postwar governance.
The states consulted by Trump on the plan include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Turkey, and Indonesia. While none were named publicly due to the sensitivity of the issue, diplomats said opinions were divided — with some officials citing Blair’s controversial record in the Middle East and others warning his involvement could hinder Palestinian cooperation. “Some countries have issues with him due to his vision or past,” one Arab diplomat said. “Others think there will be resistance towards him by Palestinians so he could slow down or create issues for the deal itself.”
Blair, who previously served as a Middle East envoy after leaving Downing Street in 2007, is currently the only confirmed member of the proposed “board of peace,” which Trump intends to chair. The board would oversee Gaza’s redevelopment until the Palestinian Authority (PA) — which currently governs parts of the West Bank — is reformed and deemed capable of assuming control. It would also supervise a committee of Palestinian technocrats responsible for managing essential public services in the enclave.
Despite the plan’s ambition, Trump himself acknowledged earlier this month that Blair’s appointment faced resistance. “I want to find out that Tony would be popular with all because I just don’t know that,” he said, signaling awareness of the regional scepticism. Washington is reportedly counting on Arab and Muslim nations to contribute both troops for a stabilization force and funding for Gaza’s reconstruction, though key details of the plan remain unresolved. “No one is any wiser about this board of peace, who’s going to be on it, what it’s going to do,” a fourth diplomat told the Financial Times.
Blair has been working for more than a year on a separate Gaza plan through his Tony Blair Institute, coordinating closely with Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former Middle East envoy. His proposals, according to Arab and European officials, center on the idea of an international trusteeship — dubbed GITA — which would temporarily administer Gaza. Critics argue that such a framework risks sidelining Palestinians and overemphasizing Israeli security concerns. Supporters, however, describe Blair’s involvement as essential, crediting him with helping formulate the ceasefire plan that ended the two-year war between Israel and Hamas.
Regional leaders remain cautious. Many Arab states have reiterated their preference for a larger role for the Palestinian Authority and have resisted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempts to diminish the PA’s role in Gaza’s future. After meeting with Blair this month, Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh affirmed readiness to cooperate with Trump and Blair “to consolidate the ceasefire” while stressing “the importance of stopping the undermining of the Palestinian Authority” and safeguarding the two-state framework.
While Blair’s allies insist his plans prioritize Palestinian participation and long-term unity between Gaza and the West Bank, skepticism persists. As one diplomat put it, “It’s a very difficult mission and it might fail — so why put someone who’ll make it more difficult?”
