WASHINGTON – The appointment of Jared Kushner and Tony Blair to the helm of the “Gaza Board of Peace” is more than a personnel announcement; it is a declaration of intent regarding US policy in the Middle East. President Trump’s decision to bring back Kushner signals a revival of the “economic peace” doctrine—the belief that financial prosperity and infrastructure development can supersede deep-rooted political grievances.
Kushner, who has maintained close ties with key Gulf monarchies since leaving office in 2021, is expected to leverage these relationships to secure massive funding for Gaza’s reconstruction. Tony Blair’s inclusion provides a layer of international legitimacy and diplomatic heft that Kushner lacks in European circles.
However, analysts argue this move sidelines the Palestinian Authority and traditional UN bodies. By creating an independent “Board,” the Trump administration appears to be setting up a parallel governance structure for aid and development, one that answers directly to Washington and its selected partners rather than international mandates. The success of this board will depend on whether “prosperity first” can actually work in the absence of a final political settlement.
