The launch of Donald Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ in Davos on Thursday has raised eyebrows, with critics suggesting it represents less an ‘America First’ approach and more a ‘Trump Always’ initiative. The charter of the board, which positions the former US president as its permanent chair, grants him significant powers to shape its agenda and membership, leading to concerns that it may be used to undermine multilateral institutions like the United Nations.
While the UN Security Council had authorised the creation of a board to oversee administration and reconstruction in Gaza, the actual charter makes no mention of the region, instead positioning the body as a broader ‘international peace-building’ effort to replace ‘failed’ institutions. This has led to speculation that the move may be more symbolic than substantive, a vehicle for Trump to bolster his own ego and influence on the global stage.
The board’s membership is also a cause for concern, with the inclusion of leaders like Benjamin Netanyahu and representatives from Belarus, Uzbekistan and Hungary raising questions about its credibility and commitment to impartiality. Traditional US allies have conspicuously shunned the initiative, leaving Palestinians relegated to a ‘fourth-tier technocratic committee’ despite the pressing need for aid and reconstruction in Gaza.
Experts warn that the ‘Board of Peace’ risks further compromising the already difficult task of achieving peace and justice for the Palestinian people. While the administration’s proposals for increased aid and infrastructure repairs are welcome, the overall framing and power dynamics of the board raise the spectre of Trump’s contempt for international law being used to undermine multilateral efforts.
As the world grapples with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the international community must remain vigilant in defending the principles of multilateralism and ensuring that the rights of Palestinians are not treated as an ‘irrelevant detail’ in the pursuit of Trump’s personal and political ambitions.