Italy's Vice Premier Tajani to Attend Controversial 'Board of Peace' in Washington

Italy's Vice Premier Antonio Tajani is set to attend the Board of Peace in Washington, a move that has stirred controversy both domestically and internationally. Tajani's presence at the board, which is a key part of US President Trump's Peace Plan for the Gaza Strip, is seen as a signal to the US despite many objections.

Background and Context

The Board of Peace is an initiative launched by President Trump to address the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The board, which has been criticized for being a personal vehicle for Trump with no accountability to the Palestinians or the United Nations, is expected to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza. Spain's foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, has accused Trump of trying to bypass the original UN mandate for the board and of excluding Europe, a major funder of the Palestinian Authority, from the process¹.

Despite these criticisms, Tajani has defended his decision to attend the board, stating that it is a respectful choice according to the Constitution².

The Board of Peace and Its Controversy

The board operates with a pyramid structure and includes 27 members, only two of which are from the European Union³. Trump holds nearly absolute power within the board, having the sole authority to invite a member, veto all decisions, and create, modify or dissolve subordinate organizations³.

Despite the board's controversial setup, Trump has announced that the members have pledged $5 billion towards the reconstruction of Gaza⁴. However, this falls far short of the $50 billion estimated to be needed for reconstruction³.

Domestic and International Reactions

Tajani's decision to attend the board has drawn criticism from the opposition in Italy, with calls for him to remain outside the board⁵. However, despite this backlash, the prime minister has confirmed Tajani's attendance⁶. His decision to attend makes him the only minister from one of the major EU countries to be present at the board⁷.

The EU's head of foreign policy, Kaja Kallas, has expressed her dissatisfaction with the board, arguing that it serves as a vehicle for Trump with no accountability to the Palestinians or the UN¹.

Current Status

As of now, Tajani is in Washington preparing for the board⁸. It is expected that he will return on Friday⁹. The future of the Gaza Strip remains uncertain, with the situation remaining volatile¹⁰.