Will Trump's 'board of peace' in Gaza really rival the UN? • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Board of Peace: Donald Trump's proposed international organization, initially conceived for Gaza rebuilding, now envisioned as a global conflict mediator.
• Chairman: The leader of the Board of Peace, a position held by Donald Trump, with sole authority over membership and replacement conditions.
• Executive Board: A seven-member body, including key Trump allies and former officials, responsible for guiding the Board of Peace.
• Gaza Executive Board: A subsidiary body operating under the main Executive Board, focused specifically on Gaza.
• National Committee for the Administration of Gaza: The sole Palestinian component within the hierarchy, tasked with managing day-to-day operations in Gaza.
• Permanent Member Fee: A reported $1 billion cost for nations to secure permanent membership in the Board of Peace.

Evolution and Scope of the Board of Peace

Originally conceived as a small group of world leaders to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza, Donald Trump's "board of peace" has evolved into a more expansive concept. Invitations have been extended to "dozens of nations," and the preamble of its charter suggests a broader role as a "mediator in conflicts around the world." Trump himself indicated the organization's potential to replace the United Nations, stating, "Well, it might," and criticizing the UN for not being "very helpful" and never having "lived up to its potential," despite his personal appreciation for its potential.

Leadership and Organizational Structure

The Board of Peace is structured hierarchically, with Donald Trump serving as its Chairman. In this role, he "alone decides who is allowed to join" and can only be replaced in cases of "voluntary resignation or as a result of incapacity." He will lead an Executive Board comprising "seven members," including notable figures such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump's special negotiator Steve Witkoff, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Operating under the main Executive Board is a dedicated Gaza Executive Board. At the lowest tier of this hierarchy lies the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, which is the "only Palestinian component" of the organization. This committee is specifically tasked with "managing day-to-day operations" within Gaza.

International Membership and Reactions

The proposed Board of Peace has garnered a mixed international reception:

• Confirmed/Considering Members: Countries that have joined or are considering joining include Trump allies such as Hungary's Victor Orban and Argentina's Javier Malay, alongside the UAE, Turkey, Egypt, and Canada. However, Canada has explicitly stated they "will not pay the $1 billion price tag to become a permanent member." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also "agreed despite earlier criticizing Turkey and Qatar's inclusion in the Gaza Board Committee." Netanyahu clarified his position, stating, "Turkish soldiers and Qatari soldiers will not be in the strip. We have a certain disagreement with our friends in the United States regarding the composition of the advisory council that will accompany the processes in Gaza."
• Nations Ruling Out Membership: France, Norway, and Sweden have ruled out joining, citing concerns that the board "would seek to replace the United Nations."
• Nations Invited with Reservations: China confirmed it has been invited but affirmed it "would defend the international system with the UN at its core." Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky expressed that it "would be very hard to be a member of a council alongside Russia," a sentiment echoed by Britain, which stated it was "concerned that Vladimir Putin had been invited."

Financial and Political Implications

A significant financial aspect of the Board of Peace is the reported "$1 billion price tag" for permanent membership, which Canada has declined to pay. The initiative also sparks a major political debate regarding its potential to supersede or undermine the United Nations, a concern explicitly raised by several European nations. Furthermore, the composition of the board, particularly the inclusion of certain nations and individuals, has led to specific disagreements, such as Netanyahu's concerns about the advisory council for Gaza. The invitation of Russia and the subsequent objections from Ukraine and Britain highlight the geopolitical complexities and potential for the board to become a forum for existing international rivalries.

Conclusion and Main Takeaways

Donald Trump's Board of Peace represents an ambitious and evolving initiative, expanding from a Gaza-focused rebuilding effort to a proposed global mediator. Its structure places Trump at the helm, supported by an executive board of key allies, with a limited Palestinian operational component. The international community's response is highly varied, with some nations aligning with the vision, while others express significant reservations, particularly regarding its potential to challenge the UN and the controversial inclusion of certain states. The substantial financial commitment for permanent membership and ongoing disputes over its composition and mandate underscore the complex political and logistical hurdles facing this proposed organization.