Why have Trump’s European allies declined to join the board?
As countries announced their participation in Trump’s Board of Peace, for the US’s European allies, accepting the invitation was more complex.
While the UK, Italy, and Germany are sending representatives and observers to today’s meeting, they have rejected a formal invitation to join the board.
Last month, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced that the UK would not be signing up to the board and described it as a “legal treaty that raises much broader issues” than ending the war in Gaza, also referring to concerns over the invitation to Russia.
Italy also declined an offer to join the board over constitutional incompatibility, which states that Rome can only join organisations on equal terms with other states. Germany also cited constitutional restraints as a reason why it had not accepted the offer.
France rejected its invitation to join the board and is not sending a representative after citing concerns that Trump was seeking to usurp the United Nations’ functions and that the US president would have extensive powers beyond transitional governance of the Gaza Strip.
Norway to host donor meeting for Palestinians, won’t join Trump’s Board of Peace
Norway plans to host a meeting this spring of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHCL) for Palestinian aid, but is not joining US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, the Norwegian Foreign Ministry says in a statement.
Trump told the first edition of his peace initiative that $7bn has been raised for a Gaza reconstruction fund and that Norway had agreed to “host an event bringing together the Board of Peace”.
Norway has for decades led the AHCL, which was set up in the wake of the 1993-1995 Oslo Accords that sought to bring to an end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, although peace in the region remains elusive.
“The United States, together with the European Union, are vice-chairs of this group… We are in contact with the US about how we can also talk about the peace plan for Gaza there,” a spokesperson for Norway’s Foreign Ministry said.
“Norway has clearly communicated that we will not become a member of the Board of Peace, and this position remains firm.”
‘Surprising’ participation from European Commission in Trump meeting, France says
A spokesperson says France’s Foreign Ministry is surprised that the European Commission has sent an official to Trump’s Board of Peace meeting in Washington, DC, adding that it does not have a mandate to represent EU member states.
“Regarding the European Commission and its participation, in reality, we are surprised because it does not have a mandate from the [European] Council to go and participate,” Pascal Confavreux told reporters.
He added that as far as Paris is concerned, the Board of Peace needs to recast its focus to be on Gaza in line with a UN Security Council resolution.
Confavreux said that until the ambiguity is lifted, France would not take part in Trump’s meeting.
