President Donald Trump announced the creation of a new “Peace Council” for Gaza, backed by a diverse group of countries but notably rejected by most major European powers, highlighting a fragmented global response to U.S.-led conflict management initiatives.

President Donald Trump has formally signed an executive order establishing his so-called “Peace Council” for Gaza, presenting the initiative as a mechanism to oversee reconstruction and promote broader global stability.
The announcement was made during a high-profile ceremony on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Trump declared that the war in Gaza was “really coming to an end.” Markets reacted cautiously, while diplomats focused less on rhetoric and more on the composition of the new body — and on who was missing.

The ceremony brought together a coalition that cuts across regions and political alignments. Representatives from the United Arab Emirates, Hungary, and Pakistan were among those present, alongside officials from countries in the Middle East, Central Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
Trump framed the council as an operational body designed to supervise Gaza’s reconstruction, but its mandate has expanded significantly since its initial approval by the UN Security Council last November, now encompassing conflict mediation and global stability initiatives beyond the Middle East.

Among the countries represented at the signing were Bahrain, Morocco, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia.
Their presence reflects a willingness by a diverse group of governments to engage with a U.S.-led framework, even as traditional Western allies remain hesitant.

The list of absentees, however, was longer — and politically louder. Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain were not represented at the ceremony. Several of these governments openly declined the invitation, while others cited the need for further consultations. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the UK would not be among the signatories, pointing specifically to concerns over the invitation extended to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia occupies a particularly sensitive position within the initiative. Putin received a formal invitation to join the Peace Council, and according to the Kremlin, is “studying the details” of the proposal.
No Russian representatives attended the signing, but U.S. officials confirmed that discussions with Moscow are ongoing.

Trump did little to soften tensions with Europe during his remarks. Speaking from the podium, he criticized Spain over defense spending, accusing it of wanting “everything for free.” Such comments reinforced the perception that the Peace Council is not merely a humanitarian or reconstruction mechanism, but also a political instrument reflecting Trump’s transactional approach to alliances.

Notably absent from the ceremony was Israel, although reports indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to formally join the initiative at a later stage. Palestinian officials, for their part, struck a cautiously cooperative tone. Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa said that his government was prepared to work with the Peace Council and its executive bodies, while stressing the need for Palestinian institutions to continue preparing independently for reconstruction efforts.

Alongside the broader council, the White House has approved the creation of an Executive Council tasked with implementing Trump’s vision. This smaller, more influential body includes U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Apollo CEO Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and security adviser Robert Gabriel. The composition blends diplomacy, finance, and security, signaling that reconstruction, investment, and geopolitical strategy are tightly intertwined in the project.

From a geopolitical perspective, the launch of the Peace Council highlights a familiar pattern. Trump has assembled a coalition willing to engage pragmatically, while many traditional allies remain wary of the initiative’s governance model, its openness to Russia, and its long-term implications. The fact that the council has UN Security Council backing gives it formal legitimacy, but legitimacy does not automatically translate into cohesion or effectiveness.

Trump’s Peace Council for Gaza has been born with ambition, visibility, and controversy. Its supporters see a pragmatic framework for reconstruction and stability; its critics see an underdefined structure with geopolitical risks. For markets and policymakers alike, the key question is not who signed the document in Davos, but whether this fragmented coalition can translate political symbolism into durable outcomes in one of the world’s most volatile regions.

By Miles Harrington 
January 23, 2026

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