Trump Launches Gaza Board of Peace with Signing Ceremony in Davos

In a high-profile event in Davos on Thursday, former U.S. President Donald Trump officially launched the Gaza Board of Peace with a ceremonial signing of its founding charter. Trump, who will chair the new body, described it as an international organization intended to stabilize post-war Gaza and eventually take on broader global challenges.

With world leaders gathered at the World Economic Forum, the board was formally established as a distinct global entity though not a replacement for the United Nations, Trump said. “There’s tremendous potential with the United Nations, and I think the combination of the Board of Peace with the kind of people we have here... could be something very, very unique for the world,” he remarked.

The charter calls for permanent members to contribute $1 billion each to fund the board’s operations a steep demand that has led some traditional U.S. allies to hesitate or decline. So far, none of the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council Russia, China, Britain, and France have committed to joining. Russia has said it is still reviewing the proposal. France has declined, and Britain confirmed it would not join “at present.” China has yet to issue a position.

Despite the tepid response from key democracies, the board has gained backing from over 35 nations, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Belarus. While many of the initial signatories are not democratic states, two notable exceptions are Israel and Hungary both led by governments closely aligned with Trump and his worldview.

For Israel, the decision to join reflects both strategic calculation and diplomatic alignment. Though the country had voiced strong objections to the proposed inclusion of certain actors such as Turkey and Qatar, its participation signals a desire to maintain influence over any international mechanism shaping Gaza’s future. The board’s charter is linked to Trump’s broader Gaza peace plan, which received endorsement through a UN Security Council resolution.

According to Trump, the Board of Peace is not meant to be a temporary conflict-resolution tool, but a long-term platform for addressing crises beyond the Middle East. However, UN spokesperson Rolando Gomez clarified that the UN's engagement with the board remains limited to the specific mandate of the Gaza resolution.

The launch of the board and Israel’s participation in it comes at a time when the Jewish state is navigating complex geopolitical waters. Amid security concerns and ongoing regional instability, Israeli leaders are intent on ensuring that post-war Gaza governance does not fall into the hands of hostile entities. By joining the board, Jerusalem hopes to influence its direction from within and defend its red lines including opposition to foreign military presence in Gaza.

Whether the Board of Peace becomes a meaningful diplomatic tool or another arena for power rivalry remains to be seen. But Israel’s involvement signals a proactive effort to shape the international response in a region that remains volatile and deeply contested.

Israel continues to act with strength and clarity in a changing world upholding its security interests while engaging in diplomacy that safeguards its future.

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