Josh McKoon, chairman of the Georgia Republican Party, announced that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is helping implement President Trump’s international peace plan, including efforts in Gaza and broader regional stability.
“When the history of the second Trump term is written, many chapters will be spent detailing the ways Steve Witkoff carried forward President Trump’s vision for peace around the world,” said McKoon. “He is an incredible person, and we are all blessed he has been willing to offer himself as a public servant to the American people.”
McKoon’s January 16 social media post on X was in response to an announcement about Phase Two of President Trump’s Gaza peace plan, which involves establishing a transitional Palestinian administration and initiating demilitarization.
Georgia’s Republican Party platform supports Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign nation and for Jerusalem to remain its undivided capital. The state hosts a Jewish population of approximately 141,000, primarily in metro Atlanta, where community organizations advocate for strong U.S.-Israel ties. Surveys indicate that 71 percent of Georgia Republicans support Israel’s security measures in regional disputes. Government data shows Georgia exported over $200 million in goods to Israel in recent years, fostering economic connections.
President Trump’s 20-point plan to end the Gaza conflict entered Phase Two in January 2026, focusing on demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction. Phase One secured a ceasefire, delivered humanitarian aid, and facilitated the return of all living hostages plus remains of 27 out of 28 deceased hostages. The plan involves international mediation by Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, with the U.S. expecting full compliance from Hamas on disarmament. Global estimates project reconstruction costs at $50 billion, funded through international contributions.
McKoon was born on February 25, 1979, in Columbus, Georgia. He served as a Republican state senator for District 29 from 2011 to 2019 and held committee roles in judiciary and regulated industries. McKoon graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Furman University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama. He practices as an attorney and was elected Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party in 2023.
