Six countries have confirmed their participation in the “Board of Peace”, a new body established under an initiative by US President Donald Trump, following invitation letters sent to leaders of multiple countries.
So far, at least six countries have publicly agreed to join: Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Argentina, Morocco and Belarus.
Many other recipients of the invitation, including Thailand, the executive branch of the European Union and Slovenia, have taken a similar position, saying they are still seeking to understand how the board would operate. They are also trying to clarify concerns over whether the body could become an organisation Trump intends to create as a replacement for the United Nations (UN), as some observers fear.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has also received an invitation from Trump. The Kremlin said it is studying the details and will seek clarity on all aspects through further contact with the United States.
Israel has likewise confirmed receiving an invitation to join Trump’s new board, which is expected to oversee the next phase of the peace plan for the Gaza Strip. Israeli officials said, however, it remains unclear whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted the invitation.
Opposition within Israel to the proposed board has become increasingly evident. Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s far-right finance minister, said the Board of Peace would be a disadvantageous arrangement for Israel and called for it to be dissolved.
Previously, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said the establishment of an executive committee tasked with implementing the board’s vision had not been coordinated with the Israeli government and ran counter to government policy, without elaborating on the objections.
Turkey, a key regional rival of Israel, is among the countries invited to join the board. Netanyahu said that despite differing views with the United States over the composition of the advisory committee that would oversee the next phase in Gaza, this would not harm his relationship with Trump. He reiterated that there must be no Turkish or Qatari troops in the Gaza Strip.
Olof Gill, spokesperson for the European Commission, said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen would discuss the situation in Gaza with other EU leaders. Gill did not say whether the invitation had been accepted, but said the Commission wanted to be involved in developing a comprehensive plan to end the conflict in Gaza.
An official close to French President Emmanuel Macron said France currently has no plans to join the Board of Peace, despite receiving an invitation, as the proposal raises questions, particularly regarding respect for UN principles and structures.
It remains unclear how many national leaders have been invited to join the board. The wide distribution of invitations, including to countries that are themselves in conflict, has raised questions about the board’s authority, mandate and decision-making processes. It is also unclear what role Israel would play in a body tasked with implementing a ceasefire agreement that directly concerns Israel.
Language in Trump’s invitation letter stating that the organisation would “embark on a bold new approach in resolving global conflict” has fuelled speculation that the board could act as a rival to the UN Security Council, the UN’s most powerful body, established after the Second World War.
The United States is expected to announce the official list of Board of Peace members in the coming days, likely during the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
