Washington, D.C. — A significant gathering of global leaders is set to convene Thursday for the inaugural meeting of Donald Trump’s newly established Board of Peace. Despite the president’s fervent outreach, key European allies have opted out of participation, voicing concerns over the initiative’s opaque funding and political agenda.
The White House indicated that the summit at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace is expected to function primarily as a fundraising event. On social media, Trump claimed nations have pledged over $5 billion aimed at rebuilding Gaza, which has been severely impacted by ongoing conflict with Israel and is facing a dire humanitarian situation. He also asserted that these nations have offered thousands of personnel to support the International Stabilization Force tasked with maintaining security in the region.
Initially focused on Gaza’s reconstruction, the Board’s mission has since expanded under Trump’s leadership to address various global conflicts. However, skeptics doubt the board’s ability to make substantial progress in resolving underlying issues, particularly those central to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, noted that critical questions remain unaddressed, including governance, security on the ground, and immediate humanitarian needs.
The anticipated participation has already faced hurdles, with the president of the European Commission and leaders from the United Kingdom, Germany, and France declining their invitations. Additionally, the Vatican announced it would not be joining the board, citing the necessity of UN authority in crisis management.
While some Middle Eastern nations, including Israel and representatives from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, will be present, others with limited involvement in the Gaza conflict are also attending. This has raised eyebrows, with many suggesting that these countries may be seeking favor with the Trump administration by supporting an initiative that could grant them influence through significant financial contributions.
Max Rodenbeck, head of the Israel/Palestine project at the International Crisis Group, expressed concern that the Board of Peace could quickly lose credibility if the summit fails to deliver tangible improvements in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has chosen not to attend, delegating the responsibility to his foreign minister, Gideon Saar, who faces the challenge of navigating domestic political pressures amid heightened tensions.
Attempts to advance the peace plan have shown limited results since its introduction. Individuals tasked with executing the proposal remain unclear about their roles or objectives. The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), designed to manage improvements in Gazan living conditions, has been stalled and is lacking necessary resources.
In contrast, some initial measures to deploy an International Stabilization Force, meant to support local police, have begun, with Indonesia promising troops. However, diplomats remain skeptical about the feasibility of these plans, especially given the slow pace of aid reaching Gaza and ongoing security concerns.
Experts and activists are calling for more decisive action to alleviate humanitarian crises. Sam Rose, acting Gaza director for the UN relief agency, criticized the current state of aid and remarked on the lack of progress. “It seems we’ve fallen into a pattern of managing the conflict rather than making strides toward resolution,” he noted.
Overall, Thursday’s gathering will likely serve as a litmus test for the Board of Peace’s effectiveness and relevance in a complex geopolitical landscape where skepticism and urgent needs intersect.