Former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair has publicly distanced himself from the controversial $1 billion price tag attached to permanent membership of Donald Trump's newly established 'Board of Peace'. The hefty fee has sparked intense scrutiny and raised questions over whether the UK or other nations will contribute.
The $1 Billion Membership Question
Mr Blair, who has been appointed to the founding executive board of the US president's fledgling international organisation, faced questions over his awareness of the financial conditions. A spokeswoman for Sir Tony stated unequivocally: 'He is not involved in determining membership of the Board of Peace.' She clarified that his unpaid role would focus solely on implementing the Gaza peace plan endorsed by the UN.
The draft charter for the Board of Peace (BOP), first revealed by Bloomberg, stipulates that member states serve a maximum of three years. However, contributing $1 billion within the first year grants permanent membership. A US official confirmed to the Daily Mail that the contribution is not mandatory, but acts as a fast-track to a permanent seat. Officials state the funds raised are intended to finance the administration's efforts to rebuild Gaza.
A Rival to the United Nations?
The board's stated mission is to 'promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.' This has led critics to speculate that the BOP is intended to function as an alternative to the United Nations, a concern amplified by the draft charter's provisions.
Donald Trump will serve as chairman, a position granting him control over the board's funds, the power to choose invited members, and final approval on all voting matters. He would also have the authority to choose his successor. Daniel Forti of the International Crisis Group told the Associated Press the move appears to be a 'US shortcut in an attempt to wield its veto power on world affairs.' One diplomat described it to Reuters as a 'Trump United Nations' that ignores UN charter fundamentals.
While a US official told AP the BOP wasn't meant to replace the UN, letters to world leaders reportedly described it as a 'bold approach to resolving Global Conflict,' suggesting a broader remit beyond the initial Gaza focus.
Composition and Controversial Appointments
The board's structure includes a main BOP for broader peace relations and a specific Gaza Executive Board tasked with rebuilding the Strip. High-profile appointments include:
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (serving on both boards).
- White House Advisor Jared Kushner.
- World Bank President Ajay Banga.
- Billionaire Marc Rowan.
- Turkish, Qatari, Egyptian, and Emirati officials.
The inclusion of Turkish and Egyptian figures has been viewed as contentious. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler and praised Hamas. Reflecting this tension, the Israeli prime minister's office said the Gaza Executive Board was 'at odds with Israeli policy.'
The Palestinian-run National Committee for Administration of Gaza (NCAG), led by Ali Shaath, is expected to liaise with the board via former MEP Nickolay Mladenov. Mr Shaath said the committee would work under the guidance of the BOP and Trump to rebuild Gaza.
As the debate begins, a central question remains: Should any single leader have sole control over a new global peace organisation's funds and membership? With several nations already opposing the draft charter, the future of Trump's ambitious Board of Peace initiative hangs in the balance.
