The commissioner in question, Dubravka Å uica, represents the European Commission at the meeting in Washington. Her presence has further fueled the discussion within the EU.
Also Playing Along
The European Commission defends its presence with the argument that the EU should not only be a payer but also a player. By having a seat at the table, Brussels wants to influence decisions related to the reconstruction of Gaza.
At the same time, many EU countries themselves did not send political representation to the Trump meeting. That restraint underscores how sensitive the initiative is within the European Union and how differently member states view it.
Trump's Toy
In several capitals, there is concern that participation gives the Board of Peace an official status and legitimizes it. Critics argue that the initiative can be seen as an alternative to existing international structures, including the United Nations.
That concern ties in with broader criticism that ‘Trump’s new toy’ pressures the existing multilateral framework. Some European governments publicly point out that they do not support an alternative to the UN Security Council.
Observer
The role of the attending EU Commissioner Å uica is also contested. According to several parties involved, she is present as an observer and not as a full member, which according to the Commission limits the formal character of the participation.
France stated it was surprised by the Commission’s participation. Paris emphasized that, according to them, the European Commission does not have the mandate to participate on behalf of EU countries in such an initiative.
The meeting in Washington is considered the formal start of the Board of Peace. The consultations focus on the future of Gaza, including recovery and reconstruction, against the backdrop of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.