Sawt Falasteen - Trump 'Board of Peace' opens with money and troops for Gaza

Trump brought together allies from around the world -- many authoritarians, with few Western democrats who traditionally ally with the United States -- to hail his peacemaking just as he sends US military might near Iran and threatens war.

Presiding with a gavel over the meeting in the gleaming Washington building of the former US Institute of Peace, which has been gutted and renamed after the 79-year-old Republican, Trump hailed the "powerful people" who joined his board.

"We will help Gaza. We will straighten it out. We'll make it successful," Trump said, holding up a document with pledges before the disco beats of his adopted theme-song "YMCA" came on the speakers.

"We will make it peaceful, and we will do things like that in other spots. Spots will come up, things will happen," Trump said.

Trump, who has sharply curtailed foreign aid, said the United States would contribute $10 billion to the board.

Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates each promised at least $1 billion. White House Press Secretary said more than $6.5 billion was pledged, presumably excluding Trump's offer.

"Together we can achieve the dream of bringing lasting harmony to a region tortured by centuries of war, suffering," said the realtor-turned-president, who has spoken improbably of building tourist resorts in Gaza.

Trump did not explain exactly where the money would go and whether Congress had approved the contribution he announced for the institution, which has drawn criticism for its opaque nature.

Trump will wield veto power over the "Board of Peace" and can remain its head even after leaving office, while countries that want to stay on permanently rather than enjoy a two-year stint will need to pay $1 billion.

- Troop pledges -

The "Board of Peace" came together after the Trump administration, teaming up with Qatar and Egypt, negotiated a ceasefire in October to halt two years of devastating war in Gaza.

The plan's second phase calls for the disarmament of Hamas, whose unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack on Israel triggered the massive offensive.

In a first for an Arab country, Morocco announced it was ready to send police as well as officers to the nascent International Stabilization Force.

The force's American commander, Major General Jasper Jeffers, said that Albania, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Kosovo were also sending troops and announced that an Indonesian officer would serve as his deputy.

Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country, earlier said it was ready to send 8,000 troops -- nearly half of the 20,000 sought.

Trump hailed Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who attended, calling the former military officer accused of human rights abuses in East Timor a "tough cookie."

Nickolay Mladenov, a veteran Bulgarian diplomat named high representative for Gaza by the United States, also announced the beginning of recruitment for a post-Hamas police force in Gaza and said 2,000 people had applied in the first hours.

Despite the truce, Gaza's health ministry, which operates under Hamas authorities, says that Israeli forces have killed at least 601 people since it took effect.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, representing Israel at the meeting, demanded disarmament of Hamas and "a fundamental deradicalization process" in Gaza.

- 'Ambition and narcissism' -

In a rambling speech, Trump denounced domestic opponents, highlighted stock market gains, denied homosexual leanings and endorsed the political fortunes of several world leaders on stage, including populists Viktor Orban of Hungary and Javier Milei of Argentina.

He also issued a new warning to Iran, warning of potential US strikes in 10 days if the clerical state does not agree to major concessions starting with its nuclear program.

Critics say the "Board of Peace" remains vague, including how it would interact with existing institutions including the United Nations, to which Trump has drastically cut support.

"It's a confused mix of ambition and narcissism, unleavened by any effort at intellectual coherence," said Bruce Jones, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania, a steadfast US ally, dismissed European concerns that Trump was trying to "replace the UN."

"But if it helps shake that agonizing giant and, Inshallah, wake it up, then God bless the Board of Peace," Rama said.

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A.AlHaj--SF-PST