S'pore invited to join Trump's Board of Peace, which oversees Gaza rebuild, US$1 billion charge for permanent membership

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that Singapore has received an invitation from the United States to join the Board of Peace, an initiative to navigate the next steps of peace in Gaza.

The MFA said that Singapore is currently assessing the invitation.

Board of peace

On Jan. 16, the White House issued a statement announcing that it was forming the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).

The statement said that it was a “vital step forward” in the implementation of Phase 2 of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20 point Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.

As part of that initiative, the U.S. said it was establishing the Board of Peace, which will “play an essential role in fulfilling all 20 points of the president’s plan, providing strategic oversight, mobilising international resources, and ensuring accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development.”

According to Bloomberg, the Board’s draft charter describes it as an “international organisation that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict”.

It also reports that a number of world leaders have been issued invitations to join the board for a term of “no more than three years”.

One Billion Dollars

But that membership came with the expectation that each member would contribute US$1 billion (S$ 1.29 billion) in cash funds to the board.

One U.S. official Bloomberg spoke to said that the fee would “grant permanent membership”, and that the money will be used to undertake the rebuilding of Gaza, although they said that those on a limited membership term could join for free.

Outlets such as the New York Times report that European allies appear to be hesitant to join, with French president Emmanuel Macron reportedly rejecting membership.

It has also been reported by outlets such as the Guardian that Russia’s Vladimir Putin has been invited to join, while others such as Morocco has signaled its intention to join.

Top image via White House/Facebook & Ministry of Foreign Affairs