Former President Donald Trump has unveiled plans for a bold new international initiative, the “Board of Peace” (BOP), setting a $1 billion price tag for nations seeking permanent membership.
Announced Friday, Trump described the initiative as a “vital step” toward implementing his 20-point Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.
Speaking on Truth Social, he called the board “the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place,” hinting at a lineup of world leaders he says will soon be revealed.
Permanent Membership Comes at a Price
A draft charter obtained by Bloomberg outlines that member nations would serve three-year terms unless they pay $1 billion within the first year, granting permanent status. U.S. officials confirmed to the Daily Mail that contributing the funds is optional, but permanent membership is the reward for those who do.
The funds are intended to support the U.S. administration’s efforts to rebuild Gaza, officials said, framing the BOP as both a peacekeeping and reconstruction body.
Mission Mirrors the United Nations
The BOP’s stated mission is “to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.”
Critics, however, have raised eyebrows at the parallels with the United Nations, suggesting Trump may be positioning his own organization as an alternative.
Daniel Forti, head of UN affairs at the International Crisis Group, described the board as “a U.S. shortcut in an attempt to wield its veto power on world affairs,” according to the Associated Press.
While U.S. officials insist the BOP is not designed to replace the UN, leaked letters to world leaders described it as a “bold approach to resolving Global Conflict,” fueling speculation about its long-term role on the world stage.
Trump Holds Sweeping Powers
As chairman, Trump would wield considerable control over the BOP, including selecting members, approving voting agendas, designing the group’s official seal, and even choosing his successor.
The charter states the board would convene for voting sessions once a year and meet at least quarterly for non-voting matters.
A Gaza-specific Executive Board would operate under the BOP, tasked with rebuilding the region while broader peace and conflict issues remain under the BOP’s jurisdiction.
High-Profile Appointments Already Made
Trump has already tapped prominent figures for the BOP’s Executive Board, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Deputy National Security Advisor Robert Gabriel, and White House advisor Jared Kushner.
Business and global finance leaders were also named, such as Sir Tony Blair, billionaire Marc Rowan, and World Bank President Ajay Banga.
The Gaza Executive Board includes figures from Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, and Europe.
Turkish politician Hakan Fidan, Qatari official Ali Al-Thawadi, Egyptian intelligence chief General Hassan Rashad, UAE Minister Reem Al-Hashimy, and former European Parliament member Nickolay Mladenov are among those appointed.
Mladenov is expected to liaise with the Palestinian-run National Committee for Administration of Gaza (NCAG).
Palestinian and Israeli Reactions
Ali Shaath, NCAG general commissioner and former Palestinian Authority deputy minister, said the committee will work under the BOP’s guidance to rebuild Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office criticized the appointments, calling the Gaza Executive Board “at odds with Israeli policy.”
The inclusion of multiple Turkish and Egyptian figures, given their past criticisms of Israel, has heightened concerns about the board’s stance.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for instance, previously compared Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler and expressed praise for Hamas, adding a layer of diplomatic tension to Trump’s initiative.
The Road Ahead
With Trump set to chair the BOP and select both members and priorities, questions remain about the initiative’s legitimacy, funding, and reception on the international stage.
European nations, as well as Argentina and Canada, have reportedly been invited to join, signaling Trump’s intent to involve global powers despite controversy.
Whether the Board of Peace can actually influence global conflicts, or if it will remain a symbolic U.S.-led endeavor, remains to be seen — but the world is already watching closely.
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