US President Donald Trump has begun inviting world leaders and other prominent figures to join a so-called “peace commission,” reportedly outlining a broader vision for a long-term body to respond to global conflicts beyond Gaza.
President Trump originally announced the board as part of the second phase of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas to end Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, envisioning the group overseeing “governance capacity building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale financing, and capital mobilization” in the enclave.
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But Trump’s letter, posted on social media on Saturday by two leaders invited to serve on the board, Argentina’s President Javier Millei and Paraguay’s leader Santiago Pena, indicated broader ambitions. A so-called “charter” accompanying the letter also set out higher goals, according to multiple reports.
In a letter to Milley, President Trump said the council would seek to “consolidate peace in the Middle East,” adding that it would also “embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflicts.”
Meanwhile, the Financial Times cited the text of the attached Charter, which stated, “The Peace Commission is an international organization that seeks to promote stability, restore reliable and legitimate governance, and ensure lasting peace in areas affected by or threatened by conflict.”
“During peace requires pragmatic judgment, common sense solutions and the courage to move away from approaches and systems that have too often failed,” the charter says, but does not directly mention Gaza, the newspaper said.
Two diplomatic sources also told Reuters that the invitation included a “charter” outlining a broad mandate for the institution.
“This is a ‘Trump UN’ that ignores the fundamentals of the UN Charter,” one diplomat with knowledge of the letter told the news agency.
Meanwhile, a senior U.S. official told The Associated Press that expanding the peace commission’s role remains an “aspiration.”
The official added that Trump and his advisers believe such a role is possible, especially since the U.S. government and other U.N. member states have repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the international body.
But the official said the peace commission would not replace the United Nations.
Gaza focus
Indeed, the Trump administration has so far publicly stated that the peace commission will initially focus on Gaza.
On Friday, President Trump announced that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair will become a founding executive member of the board, along with his son-in-law Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff.
Also initially announced were Apollo Global Management CEO Mark Rowan, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, and U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel.
Many of these individuals have also been named members of a separate Gaza Executive Committee, which will oversee a committee of Palestinian technocrats expected to replace Hamas in the day-to-day governance of Gaza.
In addition to Blair, Kushner and Witkoff, the 11 board members include Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali al-Tawadi, UN Middle East peace coordinator Sigrid Kaag, United Arab Emirates Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem al-Hashimi, and Israeli-Cypriot billionaire Yakir Gabai.
Besides Argentina’s Mirei and Pena, Turkiye and Egypt also confirmed that their respective leaders Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Abdel Fattah el-Sissi have been invited to the broader peace committee. European Union officials said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had also been invited to represent the EU.
Four sources told Reuters that the leaders of France, Germany, Australia and Canada had also been invited to the board meeting, although there was no official confirmation.
The White House said more members would be announced in the coming weeks.
Still, the initial announcement of board membership sparked anger among many in the Middle East by not including any Palestinians and instead elevating fervent supporters of Israel.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday voiced his opposition to the Gaza Executive Committee, saying its composition was “not coordinated with Israel and is contrary to its policies.”
A statement from Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office did not specify what specific aspects of the board’s composition he objects to.
