Trump Demands $1 Billion from World Leaders for Permanent Membership in Gaza ‘Board of Peace’
At least eight additional nations have indicated that the United States has extended invitations for them to join a new assembly of global leaders. This body is intended to oversee subsequent developments in a situation that demonstrates ambitions for a broader role in international affairs. Hungary and Vietnam are two of the countries that have confirmed their acceptance.
A U.S. official, speaking anonymously about the charter which has not yet been made public, stated that a $1 billion contribution secures permanent membership on the Trump-led board, as opposed to a three-year appointment which carries no financial requirement. The official added that the funds raised would be dedicated to the reconstruction of Gaza.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has accepted an invitation to join the board, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced on state radio Sunday. Orbán is recognized as one of Trump’s most fervent supporters in Europe.
Vietnam’s Communist Party chief, To Lam, has also accepted, according to a foreign ministry statement.
India has received an invitation, a senior government official with knowledge of the matter disclosed, speaking on condition of anonymity as authorities had not yet made the information public.
Australia has been invited and plans to discuss the matter with the U.S. “to properly understand what this means and what’s involved,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles informed Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Monday.
On Sunday, Jordan, Greece, Cyprus, and Pakistan announced they had received invitations. Canada, Turkey, Egypt, Paraguay, Argentina, and Albania had previously stated they were invited. The total number of countries invited remains unclear.
The U.S. is expected to unveil its official list of members in the coming days, likely during the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
Those serving on the board will supervise the next steps in Gaza as the ceasefire, which took effect on October 10, progresses. This includes establishing a new Palestinian committee in Gaza, deploying an international security force, disarming Hamas, and rebuilding the war-damaged territory.
In letters sent Friday to world leaders, inviting them to become “founding members,” Trump stated that the Board of Peace would “embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflict.”
This new entity could potentially become a rival to the U.N. Security Council, the most powerful body of the global organization. The 15-seat council has been constrained from taking action to end the war in Gaza, while the U.N.’s influence has been diminished by significant funding cuts from the Trump administration and other donors.
Trump’s invitation letters for the Board of Peace noted the U.S. initiative, which encompasses the board’s establishment. Some invitees posted these letters on social media.
Last week, the White House also announced an executive committee who will implement the Board of Peace’s vision, but Israel stated that the committee “was not coordinated with Israel and is contrary to its policy,” without providing further details. The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office represented an unusual critique of its close ally in Washington.
The executive committee’s members include U.S. Secretary of State Rubio, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Trump’s deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel, along with Israeli business owner, billionaire Yakir Gabay.
Representatives from ceasefire monitoring nations Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey are also among the members. Turkey, despite its strained relationship with Israel, maintains strong ties with Hamas and could be instrumental in convincing the group to relinquish authority in Gaza and disarm.
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Boak filed this report from West Palm Beach, Florida. Associated Press writers Justin Spike in Budapest, Hungary, Rajesh Roy in New Delhi, and Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, also contributed to this article.