Palestinians in Gaza condemn Trump's 'Board of Peace' as gateway to occupation

Palestinians in Gaza condemn new Trump initiative

Palestinians in Gaza have reacted with deep skepticism to the inaugural meeting of former President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace." Many residents see the initiative as a new mechanism to advance Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory.

One common description from Gazans labels it "another gateway to the occupation of Palestine." The board's launch has been met with widespread condemnation from Palestinian civil society groups and political factions.

Board members and goals draw immediate criticism

The board's composition and stated goals have fueled the negative reaction. Its members include several figures known for their staunch support of Israeli government policies.

While the board's official aim is to foster dialogue, Palestinians point to its lack of any Palestinian representation from Gaza or the West Bank. This absence is seen as a deliberate exclusion of the people most affected by the conflict.

Key criticized aspects of the board include:

• Exclusion of Palestinian voices from occupied territories
• Membership dominated by pro-Israel advocates
• Vague mandate that avoids core issues of occupation and rights

Context of failed past negotiations looms large

The initiative arrives amidst a backdrop of failed U.S.-brokered peace efforts and escalating violence. The Trump administration's 2020 "Peace to Prosperity" plan, which heavily favored Israeli positions, has left a lasting legacy of distrust.

For Palestinians in Gaza, living under a 16-year blockade and recurring military assaults, the new board feels like a repackaging of old policies. They argue it ignores the fundamental power imbalance and the reality of daily life under occupation.

"This is not about peace; it's about normalization without justice," said one civil society organizer in Gaza City, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal.

Regional and international reactions are mixed

The Israeli government has welcomed the board's formation, with a senior official calling it a "positive step for regional stability." This endorsement has only hardened Palestinian opposition.

Other international reactions have been cautious. Several European Union states expressed concern that the board's one-sided approach could undermine, rather than advance, a two-state solution based on international law.

The United Nations has not issued an official statement, but aid agencies operating in Gaza warn that any political process lacking legitimacy on the ground will fail.

A deepening crisis overshadows political maneuvers

The political announcement comes as Gaza faces a severe humanitarian crisis. Over two million people remain trapped with limited access to electricity, clean water, and medical supplies.

Unemployment exceeds 50%, and reconstruction from past wars has stalled. Palestinians argue that creating a "board for peace" while ignoring these conditions is cynical and ineffective.

"You cannot discuss peace while you are actively besieging and bombing us," said a teacher in Khan Younis. "This board is a distraction from the real work needed: ending the occupation and the blockade."