The Board of Peace, President Donald Trump's advisory body on the Gaza peace plan, has named Shelley Greenspan to lead its outreach to Congress and the Washington think tank community. Greenspan, a former White House official under President Joe Biden, will head external affairs for the board.
The appointment is part of an effort to secure bipartisan support for Trump's Gaza peace plan. The board stated that sustained bipartisan support from Congress is essential to its work. Implementation of the plan is expected to receive a renewed push after the midterm elections and the formation of a new Israeli government. The prospect of Democrats controlling either the House or Senate makes bipartisan cooperation on the Gaza plan more necessary.
The peace plan has faced delays due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to take steps in Gaza before the October 27 elections. Despite these hurdles, several prominent Democrats have expressed support for the proposal in recent months. In June, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton endorsed the plan, describing it as the most viable proposal.
Greenspan is a career civil servant with extensive experience in government roles. During the Biden administration, she served at the White House National Security Council as the American Jewish community liaison and director for partnerships and global engagement. Her previous roles also include positions at the State Department. In her new capacity with the Board of Peace, she will be responsible for engaging with Middle East experts and members of Congress.
In a statement to Axios, the Board of Peace highlighted Greenspan's ability to work across political lines. The board noted that she has earned the trust of both Democrats and Republicans through her service in Democratic and Republican administrations at the White House, National Security Council, and State Department.
Greenspan told Axios that she worked to advance Trump's vision for peace and prosperity in the Middle East in her last State Department role. She said she saw how the President's 20-Point Plan could tangibly deliver for the peoples of Gaza and Israel. Greenspan expressed her intention to continue that work with the Board.