United States President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace (BoP) was launched yesterday in Washington, D.C. The inaugural meeting of the international body was attended by representatives from several governments, multinational corporations, and international organisations.
The Board of Peace was announced in mid-January by the Trump administration following endorsement by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The Council’s resolution provides for investment in and redevelopment of the Gaza Strip. However, the BoP’s charter makes no explicit reference to Gaza.
Speaking at the launch, President Trump announced that the United States would invest $10 billion and stated that the BoP would be “looking over” the United Nations.
Although representatives from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Bahrain, and other countries were present, the absence of formal representation from either Hamas or the Palestinian Authority has drawn criticism.
According to Professor Ahmed Jazbhay, executive member of the Media Review Network, the lack of Palestinian political representation undermines the credibility of the body.
“While the board has secured billions in pledges for Gaza’s reconstruction and commitments for a stabilisation force, these achievements are overshadowed by significant structural and political flaws. The board’s core problem is its lack of legitimacy, most glaringly demonstrated by the complete absence of Palestinian political representation, despite Gaza being the primary focus. As one observer noted, it is ‘like trying to have a wedding without the bride,’” Jazbhay said.
For Jazbhay, the true aim of the Board of Peace — as reflected in the US president’s remarks — is to supersede the United Nations and establish a body more aligned with American interests.
“The real intention of Trump’s Board of Peace is to replace the UN with a body that is amenable to the dictates of empire,” Jazbhay argued.
Photo: @WhiteHouse
