President Donald Trump's plan to rebuild Gaza through a new "Board of Peace" has faced rejection from multiple nations invited to join.
Invitations were sent to 60 countries, though several key players, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, have rejected participation, while Canada's invite was revoked by Trump after a tariff dispute with Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the board aims to oversee postwar restoration in Gaza after a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ended two years of devastating conflict that left tens of thousands of Palestinians dead and much of the region's infrastructure in ruins.
The rejection of the “Board of Peace” by numerous world leaders has sparked a broader discussion about its framework and Trump’s role as chair with veto power and extensive control, including the ability to name his successor.
As reported by The Hill, countries like Israel, Argentina, Russia, Hungary, and Saudi Arabia have signed on, but others cite concerns over the board’s $1 billion membership fee for a permanent seat and its alignment with international norms.
France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot didn’t mince words, stating, “This is very, very far from the Charter of the United Nations,” as reported by Politico.
Barrot’s critique isn’t a lone voice—Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz echoed similar hesitations, rejecting the board on constitutional grounds while expressing openness to alternative cooperation, as per Deutsche Welle.
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also declined, arguing on the Euronews podcast “Europe Today” that the board oversteps the U.N. Security Council’s mandate.
Italy’s Giorgia Meloni took a softer stance, noting on state television, per Bloomberg, that while constitutional hurdles prevent immediate joining, she remains open to the idea with parliamentary approval.
Across the board, nations like Slovenia and New Zealand have raised alarms about the board’s broad mandate potentially undermining the U.N. Charter, with Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob calling it “too broad,” according to Reuters via N1.
Norway and Sweden have similarly opted out, with Norwegian State Secretary Kristoffer Thoner citing unresolved questions needing further dialogue with the U.S., as reported by Euronews.
The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC the board represents a “legal treaty that raises much broader issues,” pointing to unease over Russia’s involvement given ongoing tensions in Ukraine.
Trump’s decision to pull Canada’s invitation after a spat with Prime Minister Mark Carney over tariffs at Davos shows how personal dynamics can shape this initiative, further straining U.S.-Canada ties.
His threat of a 200% tariff on French wine and champagne if President Emmanuel Macron didn’t join—coupled with a jab that Macron is “going to be out of office in a few months”—reveals a hardball approach that’s rubbing many the wrong way.
While the goal of rebuilding Gaza after such a tragic loss is noble, the heavy-handed structure and Trump’s veto power make this board look more like a personal fiefdom than a collaborative effort, risking alienation of allies who share the same endgame of peace.