President Trump’s proposed “Peace Council” is expected to be the focus of world leaders in Davos this week, questions about its composition and scope linger, a month after it was announced as part of the administration peace plan for Gaza.
The White House released new details about the commission’s leadership last week, and the president recently suggested that its work could expand beyond Gaza.
Now, the commission’s formation is facing headwinds from US allies as nations consider whether to join or leave the body.
Mr Trump is expected to make an announcement on a Peace Commission charter on Thursday, depending on his schedule in Davos. The White House had not officially released information about the charter or its contents as of Wednesday.
Here’s what you need to know.
When was the Peace Commission created and why?
The Peace Commission was the first announced in September as a key component of the Trump administration’s 20-point plan for long-term peace in Gaza and the Middle East. The plan described a “new international transitional body” that would “establish a framework and manage funding for the reconstruction of Gaza until the Palestinian Authority completes its reform program … and can safely and effectively regain control of Gaza.”
“This body will demand the best international standards to serve the people of Gaza and create a modern and efficient governance that is conducive to attracting investment,” he said.
The White House said in a statement last week that the Peace Council will play a vital role in fulfilling all 20 points of the peace plan, “providing strategic oversight, mobilizing international resources and ensuring accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development.”
Who is running and overseeing the Peace Commission?
The Peace Commission is chaired by President Trump, who may hold that position until he leaves office, according to a US official.
According to the White House, the Peace Commission has appointed a “founding Executive Committee”, consisting of:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff
- President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner
- Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- Financial billionaire Marc Rowan
- Ajay Banga President, World Bank Group
- National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel
The White House says a separate group called the “Gaza Executive Committee” will “help provide effective governance and the best services that promote peace, stability and prosperity for the people of Gaza.” This group consists of:
- US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff
- President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner
- Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Hakan Fidan
- Ali Al-Thawadi, Minister of Strategic Affairs in the Office of the Prime Minister of Qatar
- General Hassan Rashad, Egypt’s intelligence chief
- Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- Financial billionaire Marc Rowan
- Reem Al-Hashimy UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation
- Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov
- Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay
- Sigrid Kaag, former Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands and former UN envoy
The principal advisors to the board responsible for directing day-to-day operations are:
- Aryeh Light Stone
- Josh Gruenbaum
Who is invited to the Peace Commission?
CBS News confirmed that more than 50 countries have been invited as of Wednesday, January 21.
Among them is Russia, despite its continued aggression against Ukraine and the Trump administration’s declaration that the country poses such a threat to national security that the US must acquire Greenland to counter it.
Mr Trump he said has sent an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Belarus, which has provided material support to Russia during the invasion of Ukraine, was also invited and its president, Aleksandr Lukashenko, accepted.
It is not clear what criteria the White House uses to decide which countries are invited to enter.
Who has joined the Peace Committee and who has not refused?
25 countries have signed up to join the Peace Commission, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said. But so far only a few have said so publicly.
“I think we have 20, maybe 25 world leaders who have already endorsed it,” Witkoff said. the conversation in Davos with CNBC on Wednesday.
Israel, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Kosovo, the United Arab Emirates, Belarus, Morocco, Hungary, Qatar and Canada are among the nations that have announced they will accept Mr Trump’s invitation.
Other countries are considering their invitations.
in one joint statementOfficials from Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia said they welcomed invitations to join the body.
Norway and Sweden said on Wednesday they were backing out, at least for now, over concerns about the terms of the merger.
A source familiar with the matter told CBS News earlier this week that France planned to withdraw it because the Peace Council letter goes beyond the Gaza framework and raises major issues, particularly around respect for the principles and structure of the United Nations.
In response, Mr Trump said on Monday night that he would impose 200% tariffs on French wine and champagne if they were not included in the Peace Committee. The White House did not respond to multiple questions about whether the president was joking.
A French official said they had taken Mr Trump’s remarks into account and considered the use of tariff threats to influence French foreign policy unacceptable and ineffective.
Is the Peace Commission planning to replace the United Nations?
President Trump said The Peace Commission can replace the United Nations.
“I mean, the UN has not been very helpful. I’m a big fan of the potential of the UN. But it’s never lived up to its potential,” he said at a press conference that lasted more than 90 minutes on Tuesday, January 20, at the White House.
But he added: “I think you should let the UN follow because the potential is so great.”
The next day, CNBC’s Sara Eisen pointed out to Witkoff in an interview that “some say it’s an alternative to the UN.”
“No, no, it’s just, it’s a great group of leaders with great opinions and sharing ideas to achieve peace, and that’s what we need,” Witkoff replied. “I sometimes say my title should be Secretary of Miscommunication, and the president is doing just that. He’s clearing up miscommunications. He’s bringing people together so they can resolve conflicts.”
In November, the United Nations a Resolution of the Security Council which approved the “Peace Council”, but the focus was limited to Gaza only.
The resolution approved the creation of a Peace Commission “as a transitional administration with international legal personality” that would establish a framework and coordinate funding for the reconstruction of Gaza.
The UN resolution broadly endorsed the Trump administration’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, which authorized countries working with the Peace Commission to establish a stabilization force inside the Palestinian territory.
Is a financial contribution required to enter?
A US official confirmed that a Bloomberg report that countries can contribute $1 billion to the Peace Council instead of three years of permanent membership. The official also said that it is not mandatory to contribute to become a member.
The official told CBS News that any contribution will be used to rebuild Gaza and said “almost every dollar” raised will be spent during the Council’s term. According to the official, there will be no “excessive salaries” or “administrative bloat”.
In terms of financial payments and cash management, the council will “implement the highest financial control and supervision mechanisms”, and funds will only be held in approved accounts at reputable banks., According to a US official.