The Trump administration is demanding at least $1 billion from countries seeking permanent seats on his new peace council.
President Donald Trump will serve as the group’s first president and will decide who to invite as members, according to a draft of the proposed organization’s charter seen by Bloomberg. Decisions will be taken by majority vote, with each Member State present receiving one vote, but all decisions are subject to approval by the President.
“Each Member State’s term from the entry into force of this Charter shall not exceed three years, renewable by the President. The three-year Member State term shall not apply to Member States that have contributed more than $1 billion in cash to the Peace Commission during the first year of entry into force of the Charter,” the draft states.
Critics worry that Trump is trying to create an alternative or rival to the United Nations, which he has long criticized.
The commission is described in its charter as “an international organization dedicated to promoting stability, restoring reliable and legitimate governance and ensuring lasting peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.” Once three member states agree to the charter, it will officially enter into force.
Trump will also be responsible for approving the organization’s official seal, the document said.
White House officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump has invited a number of world leaders, including Argentina’s Javier Mire and Canada’s Mark Carney, to join the Gaza Peace Council, which will be formed under the broader umbrella of his new peace council.
The plan drew swift criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said details had not yet been coordinated with Israel.
Read more: Gaza ‘peace committee’ formed as Israel raises concerns
According to people familiar with the matter, some European countries have been invited to join the peace committee. The draft appears to imply that Trump himself would control the funds, which would be unacceptable to most countries that might join the committee, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private matters.
Some countries are strongly opposed to Trump’s draft charter and are working to collectively resist the proposals, the people added.
The draft charter says the peace committee will hold voting meetings at least once a year and “at such additional times and places as the chairman may deem appropriate.” The agenda must be approved by the Chairman. The Peace Council will hold regular non-voting meetings with its Executive Committee. Such meetings will be held at least quarterly.
Trump also has the power to remove a member, subject to a two-thirds majority of member states vetoing it. The Bylaws state: “The President shall at all times designate a successor to the office of President.”
On Friday, the White House announced the formation of its first executive team, which includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East special envoy Steve Witkopf, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, before forming the full board of directors.