Overview
- Reports citing the Financial Times say Blair has been removed from consideration for the high-level council that President Trump plans to chair, and an ally says he will not sit on the board.
- Sources indicate Blair could join a smaller executive committee instead, with former UN envoy Nikolay Mladenov expected to lead that group.
- The working committee is described as including Jared Kushner, Trump adviser Steve Witkoff, and senior officials from Arab and Western countries, according to briefed sources.
- Officials from several Arab and Muslim states objected to Blair’s role, citing his backing of the 2003 Iraq invasion and concerns Palestinians could be sidelined in Gaza’s governance.
- No members of the board have been officially named and key aspects of the plan remain unsettled, including Palestinian representation, security arrangements, and any troop commitments.