Plans are underway at President Donald Trump’s direction to hold a signing ceremony in Davos, Switzerland, for a new Gaza “Board of Peace,” Fox News confirmed Tuesday.
The Trump administration began sending invitations over the weekend, asking nations to become founding members of the newly proposed Board of Peace. Fox News confirmed that “dozens” of countries were invited, with official invitations sent out Friday.
Some nations have raised concerns about the proposal’s terms, particularly the financial obligations. Participation in the Board of Peace would reportedly require a substantial commitment, according to Bloomberg. European allies are said to be working to revise the plan and coordinate a joint response, including encouraging Arab nations to advocate for changes to the proposed $1 billion permanent membership fee.
President Trump addressed the issue Tuesday when asked about reports that French President Emmanuel Macron may be reluctant to accept the invitation.
“Did he say that? Well, nobody wants him because he’s going to be out of office very soon. So, you know, that’s alright,” Trump said.
Trump added that he is prepared to apply pressure if France takes a hostile posture.
“What I’ll do is if they feel like hostile, I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes and he’ll join,” Trump said. “But, he doesn’t have to join.”
The White House said Friday that Trump will chair the Board of Peace alongside senior political, diplomatic, and business figures, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, and billionaire Marc Rowan, among others.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Wednesday that he will join President Trump’s newly created Gaza Board of Peace.
In a statement, Netanyahu said he would participate in the body, which Trump formally established as part of a sweeping 20-point plan intended to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas and oversee Gaza’s reconstruction.
Netanyahu is the latest leader to join the Board of Peace, as early membership continues to grow. Countries reportedly signing on include the United Arab Emirates, Belarus, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Canada, and Vietnam.
Among the countries invited were Russia, Belarus, China, Ukraine, India, Canada, Argentina, Jordan, Egypt, Hungary, and Vietnam, along with other international partners.
