PM signals UK willingness to join Trump’s Gaza Peace Board but reveals talks ongoing with allies over terms
"We mustn't lose sight" of Trump’s positive impact in the Middle East, Keir Starmer said, as he criticised President's Greenland tariff threat
Keir Starmer has indicated that the UK is “willing” to participate in President Trump’s Middle East peace initiative, while also confirming that discussions are ongoing with allies regarding the terms required for joining the effort.
During a press conference at Downing Street outlining the UK’s stance on the Greenland crisis—following President Trump’s threat to impose tariffs—the Prime Minister acknowledged the US president’s role in helping to secure the Gaza ceasefire.
“We mustn’t lose sight of that,” Starmer said, referring to Trump’s positive impact in the Middle East, even as he expressed opposition to Trump’s position on Greenland.
Later, when asked about joining Trump’s Board of Peace—the committee tasked with overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction—amid reports that a permanent seat requires a $1 billion contribution, Starmer responded:
“We are supportive of the measures taken across the Middle East (by Trump), particularly the ceasefire. I do think we need to press on to phase two. We have indicated our willingness to play our part. We are talking to allies about the terms of the Board of Peace.”
The White House has announced the first members of the Gaza “Board of Peace,” immediately drawing criticism from both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups.
Former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair and World Bank President Ajay Banga were confirmed as members of two separate senior boards that have now been officially unveiled.
At the top sits the Board of Peace itself, chaired by President Trump.
The UK Prime Minister, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Canadian leader Mark Carney have reportedly been invited to join.
Downing Street said last week the UK had yet to receive an invite.
Six of the seven founding members of the Executive Board are Americans, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other members of Trump’s inner circle, such as his son-in-law Jared Kushner and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.
There is substantial overlap between the two senior boards, with Kushner, Witkoff, and Sir Tony Blair serving on both.
The Executive Board also features senior political figures and diplomats from Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. It is headed by former Bulgarian politician Nickolay Mladenov, who has been appointed High Representative for Gaza.
Yakir Gabay, a businessman born in Israel and now based in Cyprus, is the only Israeli member.
The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) comprises technocratic Palestinians, led by Dr Ali Shaath, a civil engineer and former minister in the Palestinian Authority.
Israel’s leader Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting with his top advisers to discuss the board.
Netanyahu’s office has since said this was “not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy”.
The Board of Peace is part of Trump’s 20-point plan to end the Israel-Hamas war and is expected to temporarily oversee the running of Gaza.
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