Trump’s new Peace Council would charge $1 billion for permanent membership, creating potential UN competition.
Council Structure and Leadership
Bloomberg has obtained the draft statute for the Peace Council. According to the document, Donald Trump would serve as the first chairman, deciding on the admission of other representatives. Council decisions would require a majority vote but ultimately be approved by the chairman.
The statute states that a council member’s term may not exceed three years but can be extended by the chairman. Members who contribute $1 billion to the Peace Council would be subject to the three-year term requirement.
Potential UN Alternative
The Council is described as an “international organization whose goal is to promote stability, restore reliable and lawful governance, and ensure lasting peace in areas affected by or threatened by conflict.” Critics suggest Trump is attempting to build a competitor to the UN.
An unnamed US official confirmed to journalists that access to the Peace Council would be free, while the $1 billion fee would ensure permanent membership. The funds are intended for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
White House Correction
Online discussions of Bloomberg’s article suggested that paying $1 billion would be required to join the council, a claim denied by the Trump administration. “There is no minimum fee to join the Peace Council,” the White House stated in a post on X, while simultaneously confirming Bloomberg’s reporting.
“It will simply enable permanent membership for countries that demonstrate deep commitment to peace, security, and prosperity,” the White House added.
Council Members and Israeli Objection
The White House announced that the Gaza Strip Peace Council will include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff. The composition also includes Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, American billionaire Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Trump advisor Robert Gabriel.
The executive board for the Gaza Strip will include Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi. Israel objects to their presence on the board. In a recent speech, Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the American-published composition was not consulted with Israeli authorities.
An anonymous US official responded to the criticism, stating: “This is our show, not his. In recent months, we have done things in Gaza that no one previously thought were possible. We intend to continue our actions.”
