The White House denies the $1 billion fee for membership in the Gaza Peace Council
The White House has categorically denied media reports that President Donald Trump intends to impose hefty fees of up to $1 billion on countries wishing to join the proposed "Peace Council" for the reconstruction of Gaza. This denial came in response to a Bloomberg report, which cited a purported draft charter indicating that the administration is seeking to collect these fees as a condition of membership.
The truth about fees and membership requirements
In an official statement released via the "X" platform, the White House described the report as "misleading," emphasizing that there is no minimum membership fee for joining the council. The US administration clarified that the true criterion for membership is not solely financial capacity, but rather "granting permanent membership to partner countries that demonstrate a deep commitment to peace, security, and prosperity." This clarification aims to put an end to speculation that the political and humanitarian initiative was being transformed into a purely commercial transaction.
General context: Challenges of the "day after" war
These moves come at a highly sensitive time, as the Gaza Strip faces unprecedented devastation from the protracted war. International and UN estimates indicate that the cost of rebuilding the Strip could exceed tens of billions of dollars and take many years. Hence the importance of establishing an international body such as the "Peace Council," which, according to the draft, aims to "strengthen administrative capacities, attract investments, and secure large-scale funding" to revitalize the devastated territory.
Trump, who is expected to assume the inaugural presidency of the council, seeks to formulate a new approach that differs from the traditional mechanisms of the United Nations, relying on a combination of political diplomacy and economic power, an approach that has long characterized his foreign policy in his previous term, particularly through the "Abraham Accords".
Council structure and prominent candidates
According to leaks, the council's presidency will be rotating, with each member serving a term of no more than three years. The initial list of participants includes a mix of political, economic, and diplomatic figures of international stature, reflecting Washington's desire to engage influential actors on the regional and international stage. Among the most prominent names being considered are:
- Jared Kushner: Trump's son-in-law and the architect of the Abraham Accords, indicating a continuation of the approach of economic and political normalization.
- Tony Blair: The former British Prime Minister and former Quartet envoy, who has extensive experience in the complexities of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
- Prominent regional figures: such as Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi, and UAE Minister of State Reem Al-Hashemi, underscoring the centrality of the Arab and Turkish role in any future arrangements for Gaza.
Calls for world leaders and anticipated geopolitical impact
The efforts were not limited to forming the executive team; they extended to inviting influential leaders to join the council, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The council's success hinges heavily on these countries accepting the invitation. Egypt and Turkey represent indispensable regional power in the Gaza equation, while the participation of countries like Brazil and Argentina would broaden the initiative's international support beyond the traditional Western sphere.
