New Zealand Must Reject Trump's "Board Of Peace": A Colonial Project Dressed In Diplomatic Language

Justice for Palestine calls on the New Zealand Government to firmly reject President Trump's invitation to join the so-called "Board of Peace."

“Despite its name, the ‘Board of Peace’ is not about peace for Palestinians. It is a pay-to-play imperial project designed to bypass the United Nations, sideline Palestinian self-determination, and entrench US-Israeli control over Gaza.”

What the "Board of Peace" really is

The Board of Peace charter makes no mention of Gaza whatsoever. Instead, it positions Trump as an all-powerful chairman (mentioned 35 times in the document) who alone can select members, set agendas, issue resolutions, and terminate participation at will. Countries seeking permanent membership must pay US$1 billion.

The UN Security Council was deceived into endorsing this body in November 2025, believing it would bind Trump into a Gaza peace process. Instead, they have provided legitimacy to a structure designed to displace UN agencies and replace internationally-recognised peacekeeping with profit-driven ventures overseen by billionaires and war criminals.

Palestinians relegated to the bottom

Under this structure, Palestinians are permitted to participate only at the lowest level: a "national committee" beneath multiple layers of US-controlled boards. This is colonialism repackaged. It violates longstanding UN principles of self-determination and national sovereignty.

Trump's vision for Gaza: real estate, not rights

At the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, Jared Kushner unveiled a "master plan" for a "New Gaza" featuring shiny apartment towers, a tree-lined promenade, and glitzy resorts by the sea. This vision comes from the same administration that in February 2025 proposed expelling Palestinians from Gaza entirely and rebuilding the territory as the "Gaza Trump Riviera & Islands" complete with luxury resorts and artificial islands.

Trump has described Gaza as a "beautiful piece of property." Palestinians, however, are nowhere in this picture except as obstacles to be removed or populations to be managed. Their land is treated as a blank slate for foreign investors, not as their home. From Greenland to Gaza, Trump sees territory as something to be acquired, not people to be respected. This is not a peace plan. It is a real estate prospectus.

Israel's violence continues:

In September 2025, Trump announced the "Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict," with a ceasefire taking effect on 10 October 2025. But the ceasefire has not seen Israeli violence cease. Buildings have been demolished, civilians including journalists killed and injured, and military operations are increasing in the West Bank as well as Gaza. On 19 January, Israel began a major military operation in Hebron, imposing curfews, blocking roads, and raiding homes.

More than two million Palestinians in Gaza remain exposed to bombardment and the elements, marooned in tents and flimsy shelters with little prospect of returning to their homes or rebuilding. The Israeli government has made clear it opposes any element of the ceasefire's second phase that would return Palestinian governance to Gaza.

New Zealand's response

Prime Minister Luxon has said he will give the Board of Peace invitation "due consideration." But what is there to consider?

This is a body where Trump holds absolute power. He alone decides who joins, what is discussed, and what resolutions are passed. Palestinians are relegated to the lowest rung of participation. Permanent membership costs US$1 billion. The charter makes no mention of Gaza, Palestinian statehood, or self-determination. It is designed not to bring peace, but to sideline the United Nations.

"The New Zealand Government claims to support Palestinian rights and a rules-based international order. Yet it has refused to recognise the State of Palestine, and declined to join South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice. And despite 55 opposition MPs backing the Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill, introduced by Chlöe Swarbrick in December 2024, not a single coalition MP has agreed to support it.

The government is willing to give Trump's billion-dollar club 'due consideration,' yet meaningful action in support of Palestinian rights remains off the table

The future of Palestine must be led by Palestinians, not auctioned off to the highest bidder in a billionaire's clubhouse." said Samira Zaiton from Justice for Palestine

In July 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel's occupation is unlawful and that all states are obligated not to recognise or assist in maintaining it.

Justice for Palestine calls on the New Zealand Government to reject Trump's sham "Board of Peace" and pass the Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill and meet its obligations under international law.

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