Israel criticizes Trump's peace council for Gaza

TT

Published 18.22

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Archive photo. Photo: Alex Brandon/AP/TT

The Israeli government criticizes US President Donald Trump's appointments to the so-called peace council in Gaza.

The composition of the council is at odds with Israel's goals, according to the Israeli prime minister.

Hamas, which is labeled a terrorist organization, believes that the council serves Israel's interests.

Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu orders Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to raise the issue with his American counterpart Marco Rubio, according to a statement from Netanyahu's office.

The dissatisfaction from the Israeli side also concerns the fact that they were not consulted about the appointments.

Phase Two

The White House has announced several names that will be included in the so-called peace council, which is part of phase two of the ceasefire between Israel and the terrorist Hamas in Gaza.

The council includes US Secretary of State Rubio, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and the US special envoy to the region, Steve Witkoff, as well as World Bank chief Ajay Banga, according to the White House. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has also agreed to join the council.

On Saturday, Argentine President Javier Milii claimed that he had been asked. Egyptian President Abd al-Fattah al-Sisi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are also said to have been asked, according to media reports.

Turkish participation

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also said to have been asked, to which the Israeli government is reacting sharply, reports the Israeli The Jerusalem Post.

The Islamist Hamas in Gaza is also reacting to the composition of the planned council. Hamas claims the council will serve Israeli interests in Gaza.

The council was appointed “in accordance with Israeli criteria and will serve the interests of the occupiers,” Hamas said in a statement. The movement also warned that the appointments show “evil intentions” in the Gaza ceasefire deal.

President Trump wants to see himself as the chairman of the so-called peace council.