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US President Donald Trump just touted his Board of Peace during his remarks to the United Nations General Assembly, calling it a “significant group of people.”
Earlier this year, Trump said that the international body he formed to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, “might” one day replace the United Nations.
But as Trump and other world leaders on the board attend this week’s General Debate, the Board of Peace has struggled to make tangible progress on peace efforts in the Middle East, and questions linger about its mission and effectiveness.
There will be a “high-level” briefing for the Board of Peace this week, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.
What is the Board of Peace? Trump initially pitched the board as a group overseeing the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, but its stated mission has since expanded to tackle conflicts the world over.
Members of the panel, which Trump chairs, include several Gulf states, Turkey, Pakistan, Argentina and others, but most of the US’ European allies have not joined. Permanent membership carried a $1 billion price tag.
Despite major financial and personnel commitments Trump says board members have pledged, tangible progress has been scarce. The board still has yet to enter Gaza, and Israeli attacks on the Palestinian enclave have continued.
In July, Trump said the Board of Peace had reached a breakthrough in Gaza that involved Hamas surrendering its weapons as part of a 15-point peace plan. A senior Hamas official said that commitment was contingent on Israel upholding its obligations under the October ceasefire agreement.
But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in August that Israel rejected the peace plan, demanding the full disarmament of Hamas before any Israeli forces withdraw.
CNN’s Jennifer Hansler, Kylie Atwood, Helen Regan, Kara Fox, Alejandra Jaramillo, Jeremy Diamond, Tal Shalev and Oren Liebermann contributed reporting.
