France Rejects Trump’s Peace Board, Calls It a Threat to UN Principles
French President Emmanuel Macron announced Monday that his country will not join President Donald Trump’s proposed Board of Peace.
The government stated that France would be concerned the board could undermine the United Nations, noting that its charter “goes beyond the framework of Gaza and raises serious questions, in particular with respect to the principles and structure of the United Nations, which cannot be called into question.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasized that Trump would chair the board, granting him authority to approve member participation, select his own successor, and veto decisions made by other members.
“This is very, very far from the Charter of the United Nations,” Barrot stated.
The decision comes after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada’s intention to join the board but without paying the $1 billion fee for a permanent seat. Under the proposed charter, member states would serve up to three years, with extended terms available for contributions exceeding $1 billion in cash during the first year.
Originally designed to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, the board’s charter does not appear limited to the occupied Palestinian territory. Countries invited include Albania, Argentina, Egypt, Germany, Hungary, India, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam. The Kremlin confirmed Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited.
Israel has objected to the board’s composition, which includes Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi.
The Trump administration has also named Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, senior negotiator Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner as members.
