Washington D.C. – President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace has attracted 26 member nations as of Wednesday, but faces significant opposition from major global powers. The Board of Peace, initially conceived to ensure peace in Gaza and facilitate reconstruction after Israeli military strikes, has evolved into a controversial initiative that appears to aim at replacing the United Nations as mediator in global conflicts.
Origins and Evolution of Board of Peace
Donald Trump laid out his Board of Peace as part of the second phase of his 20-point ceasefire plan for Gaza. However, as time approached to start the second phase, the aim of the Board of Peace shifted significantly from its original Gaza-focused mandate.
The charter of the Board of Peace now states: “The Board of Peace is an international organization that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.” This broader mission for the Board of Peace has raised concerns among potential members about its true purpose.
Original Mandate of Board of Peace
The original draft of the Board, according to White House statements, indicated that the body would play a key role in ensuring all 20 points of the Gaza ceasefire plan were implemented. However, the expanded scope of the Board beyond Gaza has created controversy and skepticism among traditional US allies.
Countries receiving invites to join the Board now find themselves questioning the very motive behind this initiative and the lack of specific mention of the larger Israel-Palestine conflict in its revised charter.
G7 Nations Reject Board of Peace
The G7 countries—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the European Union—are conspicuously missing from the list of Board founding members. This absence represents a significant diplomatic setback for Trump’s initiative.
US allies including France, Germany, and the UK have outright refused to join the Board Peace, citing concerns about the lack of Gaza focus, Trump’s current trade policies, and his controversial demand for Greenland from Denmark. These rejections highlight the challenges facing the Board of Peace in gaining legitimacy.
Canada’s Conditional Interest in Board of Peace
Canada initially indicated openness to joining the Board Peace but refused to pay the renewal fees of one billion dollars after three years. However, following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s hard-hitting speech at Davos, Trump disinvited Canada from the Board Peace, demonstrating how the initiative has become entangled with broader diplomatic tensions.
Italy and Germany’s Constitutional Concerns
Italy stated it cannot join the Board Peace in its current form. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed interest in the initiative but noted that under the current structure it would be “unconstitutional” for Italy to participate in the Board of Peace.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz echoed similar sentiments regarding the Board Peace, indicating willingness to “try other forms, new forms of cooperation” but expressing reservations about the current structure of the Board of Peace.
Japan’s Cautious Approach to Board of Peace
Japan stopped short of committing to the Board Peace. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Tokyo hopes to “play a role,” but the government has yet to clarify its stance on joining the Board of Peace, reflecting careful deliberation about participation.
European Union’s Power Concentration Concerns
The European Union raised significant concerns regarding the “concentration of powers” within the Board, which leaves Chairman Donald Trump in charge of majority decisions. In a confidential analysis shared with EU member countries, the European External Action Service expressed worries about this power concentration in the Board.
The analysis stated that the charter of the Board “raises a concern under the EU’s constitutional principles” and noted that it “departs significantly” from the UN Security Council mandate, which had sole focus on Gaza.
BRICS Nations and Board of Peace
At least three BRICS nations have joined the Board: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. Their inclusion in the Board elates partly to their roles as key mediators during the Israel-Gaza war since October 2023.
However, India and Brazil, both facing 50 percent tariffs from Trump, are not on the Board yet. China and Russia have been invited to join the Board of Peace but have yet to accept.
Complete List of Board of Peace Members
The 26 nations currently comprising the Board include: Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Albania, Bahrain, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cambodia, El Salvador, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
Israel’s Position on Board of Peace
Israel, among the first nations to support the Board, has expressed intent to join. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially opposed the structure of the Board but later reversed position and accepted Trump’s invitation, though official confirmation remains pending.
Notable Absences from Board of Peace
Along with G7 nations, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden declined Trump’s invitation to join the Board. South Africa was not extended an invitation, likely due to Trump’s allegations regarding the country.
The Board faces an uncertain future as it struggles to gain support from major democratic powers while attracting a diverse coalition of smaller nations seeking American favor.
