Trump Launches Board Of Peace
President Donald Trump and senior members of his administration announced a new international initiative aimed at stabilizing Gaza during meetings at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday.
The proposal, formally titled the Board of Peace, brings together more than 20 participating nations — though several long-standing European allies were noticeably absent from the initial agreement.
Countries Join as Europe Hesitates
Administration officials say the initial group includes nations from Latin America, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia — including Argentina, Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Turkey, Indonesia, Vietnam, Pakistan, Hungary, Kosovo, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.
While the White House initially listed Belgium as a participant, that claim was quickly disputed. Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prévot publicly stated that Belgium had not endorsed the charter and emphasized the need for a unified European position.
European officials have cited legal and procedural barriers rather than outright opposition.
Parliamentary Rules Slow European Decisions
Finnish President Alexander Stubb explained that many European democracies cannot join international organizations without approval from their national parliaments.
He noted that while the proposal has merit, European governments must follow constitutional processes before committing. Stubb also suggested that some countries would prefer to see the initiative more closely aligned with the United Nations framework.
Despite those reservations, he described the effort as constructive and said discussions among European nations are ongoing.
Rising Tensions With European Leaders
The rollout comes amid growing friction between Washington and several European capitals. Earlier in the week, President Trump sharply criticized European allies while renewing calls for increased U.S. strategic involvement in Greenland.
Those remarks heightened tensions with French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Some European officials have privately questioned whether the Board of Peace could eventually compete with or sidestep the United Nations Security Council, though Trump administration officials deny that characterization.
Trump Administration Lays Out Gaza Reconstruction Vision
During the Davos presentation, U.S. officials — joined by presidential adviser Jared Kushner — outlined a long-term redevelopment plan for Gaza.
The proposal included concepts such as modern transportation infrastructure, energy and data facilities, workforce housing, and coastal tourism projects designed to stimulate economic growth and regional stability.
Palestinian official Ali Sha’ath, who leads Gaza’s newly formed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, also announced plans to reopen the Rafah Crossing, the primary entry and exit point between Gaza and Egypt.
Rubio Predicts More Countries Will Join
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration expects additional countries to sign on once internal legal reviews are completed.
Rubio explained that many governments support the concept but must first navigate constitutional requirements and domestic approval processes — a delay he described as routine rather than political resistance.
Administration officials say the Board of Peace is intended to complement, not replace, existing international efforts, while giving the United States a stronger leadership role in shaping Gaza’s future.
