The “Board of Peace” (an initiative by US President Donald Trump) is scheduled to conduct its first leaders’ meeting on February 19.
A US government official confirmed the date on Saturday but refused to say anything more. Further inquiries were passed to the White House, which has yet to respond.
The meeting is reportedly going to be held at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, DC. The gathering is also expected to be a fund-raising conference on the rebuilding of the Gaza.
International Participation and international reactions
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has confirmed he’ll be at the meeting. Speaking at a campaign event in Szombathely, Orban said he would go to Washington in two weeks to take part in the discussions.
He is generally considered to be one of Trump’s closest partners in the European Union.
There have been cautious reactions around the world to the initiative. While some of those Middle Eastern allies of Washington have reportedly joined the board, a number of traditional Western allies have for now abstained from participation.
Permanent membership in the board is said to require a contribution of $1 billion.
Mandate and Gaza Ceasefire Issues
The board was launched in late January with the expressed purpose to solve the world’s conflicts.
Initially, under Trump’s plan for Gaza announced last year, the board was supposed to supervise the temporary governance of Gaza after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas started in October.
A United Nations Security Council resolution passed in mid-November authorised the board and countries cooperating with it to set up an international stabilization force in Gaza.
However, the ceasefire has been violated time and again, with over 550 Palestinians and four Israeli soldiers having reportedly been killed since the ceasefire went into effect.
Critics and experts, claim that the board’s structure is reminiscent of a colonial structure.
Also read: “Important for us to be in the Room”: Bilawal on Pakistan’s role in Gaza Board of Peace
