Following a two-year conflict and a ceasefire enacted october 10, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump is moving forward with a plan to establish an international “Peace Council” to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and interim administration. The United States has invited roughly 60 countries to join the body, but membership comes with a significant financial commitment-a $1 billion annual payment-prompting hesitation from key allies. Both Canada and France are reportedly reassessing the terms of the invitation, with Paris voicing concerns about the council’s scope and potential conflict with existing UN resolutions.
Canada will not contribute financially to secure a seat on the proposed “Peace Council” for the Gaza Strip, a component of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan, according to a source within the Canadian government. France is also reportedly hesitant to accept an invitation to join the body.
- Canada has declined to pay for a position on the Peace Council.
- France is currently not planning to accept an invitation to the Peace Council.
- The United States has invited approximately 60 countries to the Peace Council.
- Trump has conditioned membership on an annual payment of $1 billion.
- The Council is intended to oversee the administration of Gaza during reconstruction.
France: Trump’s Peace Council Charter “Extends Beyond Gaza”
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The French Foreign Ministry stated on November 25, 2025, that “together with our close partners, we are currently examining the provisions of the text proposed as a basis for this new body, the scope of which extends beyond the situation in Gaza.”
Hours later, sources close to French President Emmanuel Macron indicated that France “at this stage does not intend to give a positive response” to Trump’s offer.
The French diplomatic department clarified that the charter for Trump’s Peace Council “extends beyond Gaza” and “raises serious questions, particularly with regard to respect for the principles and structure of the UN, which cannot be called into question under any circumstances.”
Approximately 60 Countries Received Invitations
The same source emphasized France’s commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 2803, adopted on November 17, 2025, which aims to strengthen the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The UN resolution refers to “a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood” and mentions “dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence.”
The United States has invited around 60 countries to participate in the Peace Council. Membership would be valid for three years, according to documents reviewed by AFP. Continued membership is contingent upon an annual payment of $1 billion, while Trump himself would hold lifetime chairmanship of the council. The initiative comes as international efforts to stabilize the region following recent conflict continue.
Canada Will Not Pay for a Seat, But May Participate in the Council’s Work
“Canada will not pay for a seat on the council, and has not been asked to do so,” a Canadian government source said on November 25, 2025.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has since signaled a willingness to accept an invitation to participate in the council’s work. His office clarified that “it is important to have a place at the table to shape this process from within, although some details still need to be properly refined to formalize the next steps.”
Euronews reported that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is currently the only EU member state leader to have accepted the invitation.
Putin Also Received an Invitation
In addition to Orbán, invitations were also extended to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The Kremlin announced on November 25, 2025, that Trump had also invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to join the council.
The Council is part of Trump’s peace plan, which has been agreed to by both Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. A ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave came into effect on October 10, 2025, ending two years of conflict, based on the terms of the plan. The creation of the council is part of the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire.
The plan stipulates that the council will serve as an international supervisory body overseeing a new interim Palestinian administration of Gaza during the reconstruction period following the ceasefire.
