Major European Allies Decline to Join Trump’s Board of Peace as Washington Summit Opens
Dozens of world leaders and national delegations are set to gather in Washington on Thursday for the inaugural meeting of former US President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace, but several key European allies have declined to participate, raising questions over the initiative’s funding structure and political mandate.
The White House has described the summit – to be held at the renamed Donald J Trump Institute of Peace – as a major diplomatic effort focused initially on the reconstruction of Gaza. However, officials have acknowledged that the event will also function largely as a fundraising round. Trump said on social media that participating countries have pledged more than $5bn toward rebuilding the war-ravaged Palestinian territory, which remains in the grip of a severe humanitarian crisis following the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
He also claimed that member states had committed “thousands of personnel” to an International Stabilization Force to help maintain security for Gaza’s population. The board’s remit, originally centered on reconstruction, has since been expanded to address broader global conflicts.
Despite the ambitious framing, the summit is opening under heavy scepticism both in Washington and in the Middle East. A 100-day peace and recovery plan unveiled in Davos by Jared Kushner has shown little visible progress, and humanitarian aid entering Gaza remains limited.
Several major US allies have declined invitations. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, will not attend, while leaders from the United Kingdom, Germany and France have also opted out. Trump rescinded an invitation to Mark Carney after the Canadian leader delivered a critical speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The initiative faced further criticism after Pope Leo XIV confirmed that the Vatican would not participate. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s top diplomat, said that international crisis management should remain primarily under the authority of the United Nations. Critics argue that the Board of Peace risks sidelining established global institutions and could allow Trump to retain influence over the body beyond his presidency.
While several Western leaders are absent, Middle Eastern delegations are expected from Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan and Qatar, alongside representatives from countries including Argentina, Paraguay, Hungary and Kazakhstan. Some observers suggest participation may be aimed at strengthening ties with Washington, as the initiative reportedly offers a permanent seat in exchange for a $1bn contribution.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who endorsed the proposal during a recent visit to Washington, will not attend. Instead, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar is expected to represent Israel. Analysts note that domestic political pressures, including coalition dynamics and the approaching election cycle, may complicate Israel’s engagement with regional actors involved in the plan.
On the ground, progress appears limited. Members of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), established under the Trump-backed framework, remain in Cairo awaiting clarity over their mandate, authority and funding. Meanwhile, proposals for an International Stabilization Force – with Indonesia reportedly offering troops – have yet to materialize into an operational presence.
Diplomats warn that without tangible humanitarian improvements, the credibility of the Board of Peace could quickly erode. Aid deliveries remain constrained, reconstruction has not begun at scale, and key political questions – including governance, security arrangements and Hamas disarmament – remain unresolved.
As the Washington meeting convenes, expectations are tempered. Observers say the summit may yield headline pledges, but whether those commitments translate into concrete change on the ground in Gaza remains uncertain.
