Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated this Saturday (17) that the Donald Trump government’s announcement on the composition of an executive council for the Gaza Strip occurred without coordination with Israel. According to the official statement, the initiative contradicts Israeli government policy.
The Israeli government informed that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Sa’ar, will discuss the issue directly with the Secretary of State of the United States, Marco Rubio. The statement did not specify which points of the council’s composition conflict with Israeli policy.
The American government sent a draft letter to around 60 countries. The document establishes terms of office and financial contributions for board members. The president of the United States will preside over the body.
“Each Member State will serve a term of maximum three years from the entry into force of this Charter, subject to renewal by the president”, states the document. “The three-year term will not apply to Member States that contribute more than US$1 billion in cash funds to the Peace Council in the first year.”
On Saturday, a report from the Bloomberg news agency cited the requirement of US$1 billion for participation in the board. The White House denied the information and stated that the amount presented in cash will guarantee an extended stay on the Gaza council, but there will be no fee for participation for just three years.
“This simply provides permanent membership to partner countries that demonstrate a deep commitment to peace, security and prosperity,” the White House said in a post on X.
Gaza Council will lead the capture of investments for the reconstruction of the territory
The White House formally presented the Gaza council on Friday (16). Trump announced the creation of the body as a central element of the second phase of the Washington-backed plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip. “I can say with certainty that it is the largest and most prestigious council ever gathered at any time and place,” said the president, when publicizing the initiative on social media.
The Gaza peace council will have authority over the National Committee for the Government of Gaza (NCAG), led by Ali Shaath, former Transport Minister of the Palestinian Authority. Shaath will command the reconstruction of the territory, devastated by two years of war.
According to the White House, the council will discuss topics such as “strengthening governance capacity, regional relations, reconstruction, attracting investment, large-scale financing and capital mobilization.”
On Friday, Trump appointed American Major General Jasper Jeffers to command the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza. The mission includes maintaining security in the Palestinian territory and training a new police force to replace the Hamas terrorist group.
Lula is among those invited to the Gaza council, but has not yet confirmed his participation
Donald Trump invited President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) to join the Gaza council. Lula’s response has not yet been released. In September last year, the PT member classified the military action of Israel and the USA in Gaza as “genocide”.
Guests include American businessman Marc Rowan and Robert Gabriel, Trump’s advisor on the National Security Council. Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of the American president, are other names on the list.
There was also confirmation of the name of Sigrid Kaag, special coordinator of the United Nations (UN) for the peace process in the Middle East.
Egyptian dictator Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are also members of the council. A Cypriot-Israeli billionaire and a minister from the United Arab Emirates, a country that established diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020, would also have been invited by Trump.
Among the heads of state are the president of Argentina, Javier Milei, and Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The composition also includes Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Israel has repeatedly opposed any Turkish involvement in Gaza.
