Bulgarian Diplomat Nickolay Mladenov to Lead Trump's Gaza Peace Board

Mladenov Appointed to Key Gaza Role

Nickolay Mladenov, a seasoned Bulgarian diplomat and former United Nations envoy, has been selected to serve as the Director-General for U.S. President Donald Trump's Board of Peace in Gaza. The appointment, announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following a meeting with Mladenov in Jerusalem, marks a significant step in the implementation of the U.S. peace plan for the region. A U.S. official has since confirmed Mladenov's selection.

The Board of Peace is envisioned as a crucial international body tasked with overseeing the next phase of a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire, which followed two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Mandate of the Board of Peace

Under President Trump's comprehensive peace plan, officially known as the 'Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict,' the Board of Peace will be chaired by President Trump himself. Its mandate includes several critical objectives for the Gaza Strip:

• Supervising a new technocratic Palestinian government.
• Overseeing the disarmament of Hamas.
• Facilitating the deployment of an international security force.
• Managing additional pullbacks of Israeli troops.
• Directing large-scale reconstruction efforts in the territory.

The appointment of Mladenov is seen as an effort to advance this plan, which has faced challenges since an October ceasefire.

Mladenov's Extensive Diplomatic Background

Nickolay Mladenov, 53, brings extensive experience in Middle Eastern politics and diplomacy to his new role. He previously served as Bulgaria's defense minister and foreign minister. His international career includes serving as the U.N. envoy to Iraq from 2013 to 2015, and subsequently as the U.N. Mideast peace envoy, or Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, from 2015 to 2020.

During his tenure as U.N. Mideast envoy, Mladenov was frequently involved in efforts to ease tensions between Israel and Hamas, earning him a reputation for being trusted by both sides. Ahmed Majdalani, a Palestinian former minister, commented on Mladenov's suitability, stating, 'He knows us, and he knows the Israelis very well, which is a significant advantage. I believe he is very well-suited for the position.' In February 2021, he received the Grand Star of the Order of Jerusalem from the Palestinian president in recognition of his peace efforts. Currently, Mladenov is based in the United Arab Emirates, where he runs the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy.

International Reception and Future Outlook

The selection of Mladenov, a European diplomat, for this critical position underscores the international dimension of the peace efforts. Former diplomat Milen Keremedchiev noted that Bulgaria's long-standing perception as a moderate country, avoiding extremes in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, contributed to Mladenov's appointment. This approach, consistently maintained by Mladenov during his time as foreign minister, was 'positively received by both the Arab world and the State of Israel.'

While the Board of Peace is described as an 'unproven international body,' its establishment and Mladenov's leadership are intended to push forward the complex second phase of the peace agreement. President Trump is expected to announce the full composition of the board, which may include leaders from various European and Middle Eastern nations, in the coming weeks.