Former President Donald Trump’s proposal for a “Peace Council” to address the conflict in Gaza is raising questions about a potential challenge to-or alternative to-existing international diplomatic structures like the United Nations [[1]]. The initiative, outlined in a draft charter reportedly requiring meaningful financial contributions from member nations-as much as $1 billion-has sparked both intrigue and criticism from global leaders [[2]]. This development occurs amid ongoing concerns regarding the UN’s effectiveness in resolving complex geopolitical crises and Trump’s previous criticisms of the association.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a “Peace Council” for Gaza has sparked questions about whether he intends to establish an alternative to the United Nations and the UN Security Council, or at least create a competing body for managing international affairs. The initiative comes as global attention remains focused on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the broader implications for regional stability.
Concerns deepened when the council’s charter, sent to potential members, made no mention of the Palestinian territory but emphasized the need for “a more flexible, effective international body for peacebuilding,” according to the Financial Times. The lack of specific focus on Gaza raised speculation about the council’s broader ambitions.
The British newspaper reported that the broad mandate of Trump’s proposed “Peace Council,” intended to oversee Gaza, could pave the way for competition with the UN and its institutions. The charter’s vague wording suggests the council might mediate other global conflicts as well. The development underscores the potential for a shift in the landscape of international diplomacy.
The Financial Times further noted that the “loose” wording of the charter implies Trump, through his “Peace Council,” may be planning to rival the United Nations, from which he withdrew from approximately 66 agencies and organizations during his previous term.
Membership Comes at a Price
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The charter describes the council as “an international organization seeking to promote stability, restore reliable rule of law, and achieve lasting peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.”
A draft of the “Peace Council” charter stipulates that countries seeking a permanent seat on the council must contribute at least $1 billion, according to Bloomberg. This financial requirement has drawn criticism and raised questions about equitable representation.
The draft also states, according to Bloomberg, that “the term of each member shall not exceed 3 years from the date of entry into force of this charter, with the possibility of renewal by the President… This term shall not apply to countries that contribute more than $1 billion in cash to the Peace Council during the first year of the charter’s entry into force.”
The White House responded to reports of the financial requirement, stating, “This is misleading. There is no minimum membership fee to join the Peace Council. Permanent membership is simply granted to partner nations that demonstrate a deep commitment to peace, security, and prosperity.”
According to the draft charter, Trump would preside over the council and have the final say in selecting member nations. Decisions would be made by majority vote, with each member state receiving one vote, but all decisions would be subject to the “President’s” approval. This structure concentrates significant power in the hands of the former U.S. president.
The council would become officially effective once three member states approve the charter, with Trump having “final approval” over the group.
An International Organization: The Peace Council
According to a version of the charter reviewed by the Financial Times, “The Peace Council is an international organization seeking to promote stability, restore democratic and legal governance, and ensure lasting peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.”
The distribution of the charter followed discussions among U.S. officials about allowing the council to mediate other hotspots, such as Ukraine and Venezuela, seemingly lending credence to diplomats’ concerns that the Trump administration is seeking ways to marginalize the United Nations. The announcement could influence future diplomatic talks and the role of international organizations.
A White House official said that the “highest level of the board” would be “exclusively” comprised of heads of state under Trump’s leadership, and would also grant him a “veto” over council decisions.
It would also grant him “the exclusive authority to create or modify or dissolve sub-entities as necessary or appropriate to achieve the mission of the Peace Council,” such as an executive committee dealing with Gaza, or similar councils created for other conflicts.
Trump Would Be “The Controller”
Trump has invited a number of world leaders, including Argentinian President Javier Milei and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, to join the “Peace Council” for Gaza.
According to people familiar with the matter, European countries have been invited to join the council, but the draft shows Trump would control the funds, which is considered unacceptable by most countries considering membership, sources told Bloomberg.
The sources added that “several countries strongly oppose the draft of Trump’s charter and are working to coordinate a collective response.”
The charter stipulates that the Peace Council will hold voting meetings at least once a year, and “at any additional times and places as the President deems appropriate.”
The agenda is also subject to the President’s approval, and the council will hold regular non-voting meetings, to be held at least once every three months.
Trump would also have the power to remove any member, subject to a two-thirds vote of member states. The draft states: “The President shall at all times appoint a deputy to himself.”
“A Vague Idea”
All of this has raised concerns among critics, who fear Trump is seeking to create an alternative, or competitor, to the United Nations, which he has long criticized.
A senior European official told the Financial Times, “It’s a very vague idea. What does ‘membership’ mean? Is it an alliance or a mediation body between adversaries?”
A U.S. official said Friday that planning for the “Peace Council” is focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has not yet expanded beyond that.
However, the official later said that the “Peace Council” may have been formed with a high-level board consisting of heads of state, and below it a founding executive board, which in turn is above an executive board for the Gaza Strip, because “the Peace Council could evolve in the future to include more than Gaza.”
The official said that other peace agreements “achieved by Trump” could be included “within the purview of the Peace Council by creating other executive boards.”
Trump has long been antagonistic towards the United Nations, and has floated the idea of a complete U.S. withdrawal from the organization.
