US President Donald Trump invited the European Union to join Gaza's Board of Peace, but European officials expressed hesitancy, worried that the board aims to supplant established bodies such as the United Nations, Maariv reported on Tuesday.
EU officials and diplomats told the Israeli outlet that the proposal is being carefully considered in Brussels, and that, at this point, no commitment has been made.
European Union considers Trump's offer
According to a source in the European Union, the invitation was extended to the EU as a collective entity, not just to individual countries. "We received an official invitation, and we are taking it seriously," said the source. However, they clarified that no immediate decision is expected.
Diplomatic sources added, "In the European Union, nothing happens quickly. Legal teams and senior officials are carefully reviewing all the words and conditions in the documents before issuing any official response."
Meanwhile, in France, a more cautious stance has already been outlined.
Sources close to French President Emmanuel Macron told AFP that Paris "does not intend to accept" the invitation to join Trump's Board of Peace.
They stated that the initiative’s charter "exceeds the exclusive framework of Gaza," contrary to initial expectations, and raises "fundamental questions," particularly regarding adherence to principles and the United Nations' structure. "These are principles that cannot be undermined in any way," they emphasized.
European Union emphasizes support for promoting peace
“We are ready to talk with the US and other partners about how to reach this goal, and we will remain in close contact with our allies,” said the EU source. However, they added that joining the board depends on a comprehensive review, including the conditions for membership and associated costs.
According to the Board of Peace's charter, the requirement for permanent membership is a contribution of at least one billion dollars within the first year after the charter takes effect.
"We are not interested in a body pretending to be an UN alternative"
One of the central concerns in Europe is the nature of the Board of Peace and its relationship to the existing international system.
According to sources, the council's charter does not explicitly mention the UN or its charter. "For the European Union, the baseline of any international body is the UN," European diplomats told Maariv. "We don’t want a new body competing with the UN or bypassing it. An international order was built after World War II, and it cannot simply be reinvented."
Diplomatic sources also emphasized that the concern is not just theoretical, saying, "We are not interested in duplicate organizations or a body pretending to be an alternative to the UN. Before saying yes or no, we need to ensure that this is not what’s at stake."
The EU clarified that other political issues, such as the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Board of Peace or Trump’s statements regarding Greenland, are not expected to be official grounds for rejecting the offer.
"These are considerations in the background that affect trust, but they are not the decisive factor," said one of the diplomatic sources.
In UK, a caution stand is heard
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday, in response to questions on the matter, that "As for the ‘Board of Peace’ issue, we support the steps being taken across the Middle East, especially the ceasefire. I believe we must move to the second phase. We have expressed our willingness to do our part, and we will. Regarding the 'Board of Peace,' we are discussing with our allies the conditions for its establishment."
Diplomatic sources have emphasized that the key message at this stage is clear: Europe is not rushing to join the new initiative unless it becomes clear that it fits into the existing international system and is not meant to replace it.