Trump peace board rejected by Belgium amid European concerns

Belgium has denied participating in the ‘Board of Peace’ launched by US President Donald Trump, despite being listed as a member. The country’s Foreign Minister, Maxime Prevot, issued a correction on social media, stating that Belgium has not signed the charter and wants a “common and coordinated European response” to the situation in Gaza.

The Board of Peace was inaugurated with a charter-signing ceremony on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, with 19 officials joining Trump at the signing. However, several countries, including Egypt, did not participate, and some expressed reservations about the proposal. European Council President Antonio Costa echoed Belgium’s concerns, citing doubts about the charter’s scope, governance, and compatibility with the UN Charter.

The board, ostensibly created to implement a Washington-mediated Israel-Hamas peace deal, has been criticized for overreaching its mandate and sidelining the United Nations. Critics also argue that the panel grants disproportionate power to its chair, a position held by Trump. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed support for the board’s stated mission of improving conditions in Gaza and offered to contribute some of Russia’s sovereign funds immobilized by the US for that purpose.

The US is the only permanent UN Security Council member to join the board, with invitations reportedly sent to over 50 countries. However, Trump said he disinvited Canada after a public dispute with Prime Minister Mark Carney. The development highlights the challenges facing the board, with several nations expressing reservations about the proposal. As the international community continues to navigate the complex situation in Gaza, the effectiveness of the Board of Peace remains to be seen.