Trump inaugurates Board of Peace
US President Donald Trump on Thursday inaugurated his Board of Peace, aimed at stabilizing the Gaza Strip and beyond, with Japan and many other key American allies remaining at arm’s length from the new multilateral body.
More than 40 countries sent heads of state or senior officials to the first meeting in Washington, where Trump announced that the United States will contribute $10 billion to the board, so that “together we can achieve the dream of bringing lasting harmony to a region tortured by centuries of war, suffering and carnage.”
As of Thursday, the board, founded in January and chaired by Trump, has some two dozen members, including Argentina, Cambodia, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam.
Britain, France, Germany, and many other European countries, as well as Japan, Thailand and South Korea, attended the meeting as “observers,” reflecting their reluctance to join the board, partly due to concerns about its potential to undermine the United Nations.
Ceasefire plan
Against such a backdrop, Trump promised in his speech that the board will work with the United Nations to oversee his ceasefire plan in Gaza, which has been devastated by over two years of war.
“The Board of Peace is going to almost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly. But we’re going to strengthen up the United Nations. We’re going to make sure its facilities are good,” he said.
The board was brought about as an essential part of Trump’s 20-point peace plan to end the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.
For Gaza relief, Trump said nine members of the Board of Peace, including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Kuwait, have pledged a total of more than $7 billion, while giving no details on how his newly committed $10 billion will be used.
“Additionally, Japan is just committed to host an aid fundraiser, which will be a very big one,” he said, noting that he knows “some of the numbers that are being talked about” and that the event will be attended by other Asian countries, including the Philippines, Singapore, and South Korea.
Below estimate
In any case, the money pledged so far is still far below the UN estimated cost of reconstruction and recovery in Gaza, which exceeds $70 billion.
During the meeting, US Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers said five countries—Albania, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Morocco—have agreed to deploy troops to participate in an international stabilization force to the Palestinian territory. He also said Egypt and Jordan have committed to train police.
‘Meaningful deal’
In his address, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said, “There will be a lot of difficulties, but we are very optimistic with the leadership of President Trump. This vision of real peace will be achieved.”
He said Indonesia will contribute “up to 8,000 or more” troops as needed.
As the United States builds up its military forces in the Middle East, Trump also mentioned Iran, urging Tehran to reach a “meaningful deal” with Washington.
Warning that “otherwise bad things happen,” he suggested that Iran now has a 10-day deadline to decide on what to do with its nuclear ambitions.
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