Gaza: a billion dollars “in cash” could be requested to sit on Donald Trump’s Peace Council

Donald Trump’s intentions are still unclear. But the American administration has in any case sent to around sixty countries a draft charter for the Peace Council for Gaza, which provides for a contribution of one billion dollars for states wishing to obtain a permanent seat in this institution, according to a document consulted by Reuters and the New York Times.

“Each Member State will exercise a mandate of a maximum duration of three years from the entry into force of this Charter, renewable by the President,” indicates the document, first revealed by Bloomberg. But this maximum term limit does not apply if states “pay more than US$1,000,000,000 in cash to the Peace Council.”

The White House had specified — that under the plan to end the war in Gaza supported by Washington — a Peace Council chaired by Donald Trump would be formed. He had thus promised, with his usual emphasis, the “largest and prestigious council ever assembled” for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, ravaged by two years of war.

According to the project consulted by the American media, President Donald Trump would be the first president of the Peace Council and would decide who would be invited to become members. The council would have to meet at least once a year to vote and decisions would be made by majority, with each member state present having one vote.

From Brazil to Romania

Several foreign leaders or their advisors claimed to have received an invitation to sit on the Peace Council, without necessarily saying whether they intended to accept it or not. At this point, the heads of state of the following countries have received an invitation: Albania, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Cyprus, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Italy, Hungary, Paraguay and Romania.

“Canada will not pay to obtain a seat on the Gaza Peace Council” from the American president, the country’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, reacted on Sunday, according to Radio Canada. The day before, to AFP, a senior advisor to the head of government had nevertheless affirmed that he had every intention of accepting Donald Trump’s invitation to sit.

The American media which revealed this draft charter are also concerned not to see Gaza mentioned. According to the charter, the council’s mission is to “guarantee lasting peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict”, which suggests a much more ambitious role than that originally described by Donald Trump.

In addition to the Gaza Peace Council, two bodies were created, after three months of fragile ceasefire obtained on October 10 under pressure from Washington. It is a technocratic Palestinian committee intended to provisionally administer the Gaza Strip and an “executive board” which seems intended to play a more consultative role.