France rejects the plan as UAE officially backs Trump’s Gaza governance initiative.
The United Arab Emirates has become the first Muslim country to officially join former US President Donald Trump’s proposed “Gaza Board of Peace,” marking a major geopolitical development amid global hesitation over the initiative.
According to Arab media reports, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Tuesday that Abu Dhabi has accepted the invitation and is ready for active participation and practical cooperation in the Gaza peace framework. The ministry stated that the UAE aims to work closely with the United States to promote regional stability, cooperation, and long-term prosperity.
The move places the UAE among the earliest supporters of the controversial plan, which proposes replacing Hamas-led governance in Gaza with an internationally administered board, chaired permanently by Donald Trump. The founding members reportedly include former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, senior US officials, Trump’s son-in-law, and other technocrats.
While Hungary became the first European country to back the plan unconditionally, nations such as Italy and Canada have expressed conditional interest. However, France has firmly rejected the proposal, prompting Trump to threaten a 200% tariff on French champagne. Trump also claimed that President Emmanuel Macron “will not remain in office for long.”
Meanwhile, Germany, the UK, Spain, Japan, Sweden, and the Netherlands have remained silent, while the United Nations has voiced concerns over the initiative’s legitimacy.
Under the proposal, board members would serve three-year terms, while countries contributing $1 billion could secure permanent membership.
