• Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza includes Tony Blair in a governance role.
• The plan proposes a transitional committee for Gaza's governance, sidelining Hamas.
• Critics label Blair as a "war criminal," questioning his legitimacy in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
• Palestinian leaders and activists express concerns over the lack of genuine Palestinian agency in the plan.
• The proposal has received mixed reactions, with some seeing it as yet another colonial imposition.

A controversial proposal for governing Gaza has emerged from U.S. President Donald Trump, who aims to establish a "Board of Peace" tasked with overseeing a transitional authority while featuring former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in a key role. This plan outlines a technocratic, apolitical governance model, raising eyebrows particularly due to Blair's history and controversial legacy as a leading figure in the Iraq War, which many consider an act of imperial overreach, according to The Jakarta Post, AA, and BBC.

The proposal, which has been unveiled alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aims for an end to hostilities and the establishment of a transitional governance committee for Gaza, purportedly involving international figures. Critics, however, view Blair's involvement as reflective of a colonial mindset, suggesting that it undermines Palestinian sovereignty and self-determination. Belén Fernández in Al Jazeera provides a scathing critique, stating that Blair's leadership on the Board of Peace is met with skepticism given his previous decisions in the Middle East and the overarching control implied in the governance structure.

Blair's proposed role within the Gaza governance framework involves leading a transitional authority designed to operate under the purview of international oversight while ostensibly backing a Palestinian committee. This contrasts sharply with local perspectives, where many believe tensions necessitate a Palestinian-led initiative rather than an externally imposed structure. Critics like Iain Overton, executive director of Action on Armed Violence, argue that "a credible transition must be Palestinian-led" as Blair's reputation suffers from the fallout of the Iraq War and is regarded as the “wrong messenger for Gaza,” according to AA, and BBC.

While Trump welcomes Blair's input, labeling him a "good man," the doubts extend into the governance model proposed, which risks sidelining legitimate Palestinian representation—suggesting instead a superficial facade of governance. Francesca Albanese, a UN special rapporteur, emphasizes that "Tony Blair? Hell no. Hands off Palestine," highlighting the broader mistrust stemming from Blair's intricate ties to various Israeli leaderships and the perception of his biased involvement, according to AA and BBC.

The international plan, while aiming for progress, faces significant backlash not only from Palestinian voices but also from various global observers who question the compartmentalization of the Gaza leadership under such a framework. The notion that foreign intervention—especially by someone with Blair's contentious track record—could form the backbone of a governance structure has fueled discourse around post-colonial governance models and their implications for sovereignty, as noted in Al Jazeera and echoed by diverse commentators across the political spectrum.