Donald Trump is charging countries $1billion (£747million) for a spot on his new Gaza “Board of Peace”, according to a new report.
A draft charter for the proposed group established by the US President as the inaugural chairman will oversee the rebuilding of the strip.
According to the document, states would be restricted to a three-year membership unless they fork out “more than USD $1,000,000,000 in cash funds to the Board of Peace within the first year of the Charter’s entry into force”.
The White House claimed the report is “misleading”, adding that no minimum membership fee would be required to join the “Board of Peace”.
“This simply offers permanent membership to partner countries who demonstrate deep commitment to peace, security, and prosperity,” the White House said on X.
Administrators have begun to be unveiled for the role of supervising Gaza and for the second phase of Mr Trump’s peace deal.
Sir Tony Blair is among those involved, as is White House envoy Steve Witkoff.
A statement released by the President’s office named the former UK Prime Minister as a member of the “founding executive board”, which aims to lead long-term peace efforts in the Middle East.
A report claimed Mr Trump will charge nations $1billion to join the Gaza ‘Board of Peace’
|
GETTYAn “Executive Board” will oversee the postwar management, which will include other world leaders expected to be announced at Davos next week.
The charter for the groups suggested Mr Trump is trying to create an organisation to rival the United Nations.
The “Executive Board” is described as “an international organisation that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict”.
Mr Trump hailed the group as “the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place”.
Sir Tony Blair is on Mr Trump’s board
|
PAA White House statement on the formation of the executive board read: “The Board of Peace will play an essential role in fulfilling all 20 points of the President’s plan, providing strategic oversight, mobilising international resources, and ensuring accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development.”
It added: “The United States remains fully committed to supporting this transitional framework, working in close partnership with Israel, key Arab nations, and the international community.”
Israel objected to the proposed individuals on the board, which included Hakan Fidan, the Turkish foreign minister and Ali Thawadi, the senior Qatari diplomat.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said: “The announcement regarding the composition of the Gaza Executive Board, which is subordinate to the Board of Peace, was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy.
Benjamin Netanyahu has not backed some members on the board
|
REUTERS“The Prime Minister has instructed the foreign affairs minister to contact the US Secretary of State on this matter.”
Islamic Jihad, the Palestinian militant group, also criticised the committee’s makeup, claiming it favoured Israel’s interests.
The board “came in accordance with Israeli criteria and to serve the interests of the occupation, in a clear indicator of pre-existing bad intentions over the implementation of the terms of the [ceasefire] agreement”, the group said in a statement.
The White House explained the board would “help support effective governance and the delivery of best-in-class services that advance peace, stability, and prosperity”.