France has made it clear that it does not intend to participate in US President Donald Trump’s proposed Board of Peace, citing serious reservations about the scope and implications of the body’s mandate. According to AFP, French officials believe the proposed framework extends far beyond post-war governance and reconstruction in Gaza and raises fundamental concerns about international oversight and global governance norms.
A source close to French President Emmanuel Macron told AFP on Monday that France “does not intend to answer favourably” to the invitation to join the board. The source explained that while the initiative was initially presented as a mechanism to manage governance and reconstruction in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, the language of its charter does not appear to confine its authority solely to the occupied Palestinian territory.
According to the source, the charter’s broad wording suggests an expanded remit that goes well beyond Gaza alone. This, France believes, creates major concerns, particularly with regard to adherence to the principles, rules, and institutional framework of the United Nations. The proposal, the source said, raises fundamental questions about legitimacy, accountability, and respect for established multilateral systems.
Trump recently announced the creation of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), describing it as a cornerstone of Phase Two of his so-called Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict. The plan, outlined as a 20-point roadmap, is aimed at achieving long-term peace, rebuilding infrastructure, and stimulating economic recovery in the region following the war.
France, however, has strongly cautioned against bypassing existing international mechanisms. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Paris has reiterated that any international effort concerning Gaza must operate within recognised multilateral frameworks. Earlier on Monday, the French Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to the United Nations, describing it as “the keystone of effective multilateralism.”
In an official statement, the ministry stressed that the UN system is where international law, the sovereign equality of states, and the peaceful resolution of disputes must prevail over unilateral decision-making, power politics, or military force. It also noted that France is currently reviewing the proposed legal framework of the Board of Peace in consultation with international partners, highlighting ongoing concerns that the project’s scope appears to extend beyond the specific context of Gaza.
Despite rejecting participation in the board, the source close to Macron underlined that France remains firmly committed to efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza and to establishing a credible political future for both Palestinians and Israelis. Paris, the source said, continues to support diplomatic initiatives that align with international law and multilateral consensus.
Other countries have also been approached regarding participation in the proposed board. India, among others, has reportedly received an invitation to join the Board of Peace for post-war governance and reconstruction in Gaza.
Canada has adopted a similarly cautious stance, particularly with respect to the financial obligations associated with membership. A Canadian government source told AFP that Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government would not be willing to pay for a seat on the board. The source clarified that Canada has no intention of making any payment to secure membership, nor has such a demand been formally made at this stage.
Under the draft charter, countries represented by their head of state or government could secure longer-term participation in the board by contributing more than $1 billion in cash within the first year. The Canadian source noted that the charter remains under discussion and that many of its terms and conditions are still being negotiated, indicating that the proposal is far from finalised.
In contrast, Morocco has taken a different position. Mohammed VI has accepted Trump’s invitation to join the Board of Peace as a founding member, according to a statement issued by Morocco’s foreign ministry on Monday. The ministry said Morocco welcomes the second phase of Trump’s comprehensive peace plan and supports the formal establishment of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza as a temporary transitional body.
Together, these varied responses highlight growing international divisions over the proposed board, its governance model, and its compatibility with existing multilateral institutions.
