Tony Blair dropped from Trump’s proposed “peace council” for Gaza after regional objections

Arab and Muslim countries objected to a role for former UK prime minister Tony Blair, leading to his removal from the proposed “peace council” intended to help administer Gaza. He is now expected to join a small executive committee instead.

According to the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Blair is no longer being considered for membership of the council proposed by US president Donald Trump, based on information from people familiar with the discussions.

Blair had been the only publicly linked figure when Trump announced his 20-point plan for Gaza’s post-war administration. At the time, Trump described Blair as a strong candidate and expressed admiration for him. Blair also signalled that he was willing to serve on the council, which Trump intends to chair.

Last Saturday, the state-run Israeli channel Kan reported that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a secret meeting with Blair about a week earlier, as part of talks on “the day after” arrangements in Gaza. According to the channel, sources said the meeting formed part of wider moves related to planning for the day after in the territory.

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