Trump Plans First Board of Peace Meeting in Washington
President Donald Trump will convene the first Board of Peace meeting Feb. 19 to raise funds for Gaza reconstruction, according to two Trump administration officials.
Overview
President Donald Trump will convene the Board of Peace's first meeting on Feb. 19 at the Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace to raise funds for Gaza reconstruction, according to two Trump administration officials.
A copy of the invitation and two administration officials show the board will include an executive committee to oversee Gaza governance, security and redevelopment, expanding beyond mediation of the Israel-Hamas war.
Many Western allies declined to join the board, with diplomats saying its charter gives President Donald Trump sole veto and a broadly defined mandate that some see as rivaling the U.N. Security Council.
The administration seized the U.S. Institute of Peace building last year, fired almost all of its staff and is facing an ongoing legal battle with the nonprofit's former leadership, records show.
The White House has not formally announced the meeting and officials said outreach to dozens of countries is underway, creating uncertainty over how many leaders will accept invitations.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources portray Trump’s Board of Peace skeptically, emphasizing unilateral actions and international pushback through selective facts (seizure of institute, staff firing), language suggesting evasion of the U.N., and highlighting allies’ refusals. Reporting centers administrative controversy and legitimacy concerns rather than fundraising or reconstruction goals, shaping a critical narrative.
Sources (3)
FAQ
The meeting aims to mark the inaugural session of the Board of Peace, advance the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, and serve as a fundraising event for Gaza reconstruction.[1]
The meeting will be held at the Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., a facility seized by the Trump administration last year amid a legal battle with its former leadership.
The board has 27 members with Trump as chair, authorized by the UN Security Council to oversee Gaza ceasefire implementation, governance, security, redevelopment, and initially focused on postwar management for two years, though expanded by Trump beyond the Israel-Hamas war.[1]
Many Western allies declined due to the board's charter granting Trump sole veto power and a broadly defined mandate seen as rivaling the U.N. Security Council.[3]
Invitations were sent to 26-27 countries on Friday, with outreach ongoing; attendance is uncertain as nothing is finalized, though robust participation is expected, and Netanyahu is scheduled to meet Trump the day before.[1]
History
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