Pax Christi International declaration on the so-called 'Board of Peace'

Source: Pax Christi USA

On Thursday, January 22, President Trump announced the start of the "Board of Peace," which requires a $1 billion membership fee. According to Reuters, "US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the board's focus would be on making sure the plan for peace in Gaza was fulfilled but that it could also 'serve as an example of what's possible in other parts of the world.'"

Our colleagues at Pax Christi International have released the statement posted below in response to this news. They write:

"Many civil and humanitarian organisations have voiced deep concern about the approach that seems to be taking shape to address conflict situations, starting with what continues to happen in Gaza. The [Board of Peace] initiative risks masking power politics and geopolitical interests under the rhetoric of peace, without addressing the structural causes of injustice and violence.

"Pax Christi International calls on states that are still considering participation to refrain from joining, urges states that have already refused to participate to provide a clear and public statement of their concerns, and appeals for a strong response from the Church and the Holy Father in defence of justice."

Pax Christi International expresses its profound concern regarding the establishment of the so-called Board of Peace, launched by US President Donald Trump on January 22, 2026, presented as a new mechanism to address conflict situations, beginning with Gaza.

We recognise the urgent need to end the violence and address the immense suffering in the Holy Land. Yet the structure, mandate, and underlying assumptions of the Board of Peace give rise to serious questions regarding political legitimacy, international law, and the right of peoples to self-determination.

Of immediate concern is the absence of Palestinians from the process determining their own future. Palestinians, the primary rights-holders and those most affected, are excluded from meaningful decision-making roles. Their marginal involvement through a technocratic administrative body, placed at the lowest level of authority, cannot constitute genuine participation. A peace process that excludes the Palestinian voice cannot deliver justice, dignity, or lasting peace.

The Board of Peace also raises grave concerns of composition and legitimacy. Membership appears contingent on financial contributions, with lifetime membership granted to those able to contribute very large sums. This "pay-to-play" structure privileges wealth and power, excludes most countries, and undermines the principles of equality, accountability, and multilateral cooperation.

Equally troubling are the implications for the United Nations and the multilateral system. The Board of Peace seems designed to function as an alternative, or replacement, to existing UN mechanisms, even though the UN remains the legitimate body mandated by international law to address peace, security, humanitarian protection, and reconstruction. The Board's charter makes no explicit reference to Gaza, and its vision diverges fundamentally from the framework established by UN Security Council Resolution 2803, adopted in November 2025.

The concentration of authority within the Board is unprecedented and deeply worrying. The appointment of a single individual as Chair in perpetuity, with veto powers over territories that are not his own, contradicts the most basic principles of sovereignty, accountability, and democratic governance.

Moreover, the proposed Gaza plan does not reflect a genuine reconstruction effort. Instead, it risks enabling eradication, colonisation, and the erasure of cultural, social, and historical roots, while prioritising control and supervision over humanitarian relief, justice, and the restoration of rights. The absence of humanitarian NGOs, UN agencies, including UNRWA, and any explicit commitment to supporting the civilian population further reinforces this concern.

It is imperative to recognise that the word "peace" cannot be invoked to legitimise actions so far removed from the concrete practice and principles of peace itself. A genuine peace process requires justice, participation, and respect for human dignity, not control, exclusion, or the imposition of authority from above.

Without political legitimacy, respect for international law, and the full inclusion of Palestinians, there can be no present and no future for peace in the Holy Land. Peace cannot be imposed from above, purchased, or administered through technocratic control. It must be built upon justice, participation, and the recognition of equal dignity and rights for all.

Pax Christi International therefore calls on:

States that have refused to join the Board of Peace to speak out clearly and publicly about their concerns, and to champion alternative frameworks rooted in international law and human rights.

States still considering participation to refrain from joining and instead strengthen existing multilateral and UN-led frameworks that centre human rights and inclusive peacebuilding.

The Church and the Holy Father to raise a clear moral voice in defence of justice, the dignity of all victims, and the right of Palestinians to determine their own future as an essential condition for genuine peace.

We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and all who resist this attempt to legitimise occupation and colonialism under the guise of peace. Our prayer is that wisdom and justice will prevail, and that a genuine path to peace, one rooted in equality, mutual respect, and international law, will emerge from the present darkness. Silence in the face of injustice amounts to complicity.

Pax Christi International remains steadfast in its commitment to a just peace in Palestine and Israel, grounded in international law, human dignity, and the full participation of all peoples concerned.