The Story The Board of Peace: the new UN or Trump's vanity project?
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Feb 19, 2026 Gabrielle Weinegger, Middle East correspondent for The Times reporting from Tel Aviv and the region. She lays out the Board of Peace’s origins from Gaza ceasefire efforts. She unpacks Trump’s life-long chair powers and the $1bn membership fee controversy. She discusses the proposed International Stabilization Force, investor-driven reconstruction plans, and concerns about Palestinian exclusion and enforcement on the ground.
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Board Claims UN Backing But Extends Its Reach
- The Board of Peace was ratified by the UN but its charter extends beyond Gaza to address global conflicts.
- Donald Trump retains indefinite chairmanship with veto power and removal authority over members.
Membership Is Eclectic And Missing Key Actors
- Membership includes a mix of Middle Eastern, Eastern European, and other states, with Israel present but no Palestinian member.
- Major Western powers like the UK, France and Germany are absent, and some attendees are only observers.
Billion-Dollar Seats Raise Transparency Alarms
- Permanent board seats cost $1 billion payable in the first year with no clarity on fund usage.
- Many countries worry about transparency and the legal framework for how donations will be managed.