Seven More Countries Join Trump’s Board of Peace
According to a recent joint statement, seven additional countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt, have agreed to join U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace. This expansion adds to Israel’s earlier confirmation of participation.
– Countries Joining the Board: The new members are Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Qatar.
– Original Purpose: The Board of Peace was intended to help end the two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and oversee reconstruction efforts. However, its charter does not specifically mention Palestinian territories.
– Ceasefire Goals: Saudi Arabia noted that these Muslim-majority nations support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and aim to foster what they describe as a just and lasting peace.
During the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Trump indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin had also been invited to join the board. However, Putin remarked that Russia is still considering the invitation.
– Funding and Engagement: Putin mentioned that his country could provide $1 billion from frozen Russian assets. He emphasized that the Board of Peace is primarily significant for the Middle East.
Status of Invitations
Although the complete list of invited countries remains undisclosed, notable mentions include:
– Confirmed Participants: UAE, Bahrain, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Morocco, and Vietnam have already signed on.
– Awaiting Responses: Canada and the UK have also been invited but have yet to publicly respond.
The Vatican recently confirmed that Pope Leo has received an invitation, but Cardinal Pietro Parolin stated that the Pope needs time to consider participation. Conversely, Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob declined the invitation, citing concerns over its interference with broader international order.
Composition and Authority of the Board
A leaked document indicates that the Board of Peace’s charter will become effective once three states formally commit to it. Key points include:
– Membership Terms: Member states will have renewable three-year terms, with permanent seats for those contributing $1 billion (£740 million).
– Mandate: The body will function as an international organization focused on peace-building under international law, with Trump serving as chairman and the U.S. representative.
Last Friday, seven members of the Executive Board were announced, including:
– U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
– Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff
– Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law
– Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair
– Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov, appointed for Gaza representation
However, Netanyahu’s office stated that the Gaza Executive Board’s setup was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy. Reports indicate that including Turkish and Qatari representatives occurred without Israeli approval.
Challenges Ahead
The peace plan’s initial phase has led to a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, including an exchange of hostages. However, moving to the second phase presents significant hurdles.
– Current Conflict: Israel and Hamas are at a standstill, with Israel requiring the return of the last deceased hostage before proceeding.
– Historical Context: Tensions have remained high since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties and 251 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory actions during the conflict have claimed over 71,550 lives in Gaza.
In summary, the expansion of Trump’s Board of Peace faces substantial obstacles as humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain dire. The fragile ceasefire continues to be tested amidst ongoing violence from both sides.