EU and Four European Countries to Participate as Observers in Trump's 'Peace Committee' While Vatican Declines
The EU and four member countries have agreed to participate as observers in Donald Trump's 'Peace Committee', while the Vatican rejects participation due to concerns over UN role intrusion.
The European Union (EU) and four of its member countries have decided to take part as observers in the 'Peace Committee' led by U.S. President Donald Trump, which aims to facilitate peace discussions regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the decision, asserting that it would be unimaginable for Italy to miss a meeting discussing peace in the Mediterranean. The involvement of these countries underscores their commitment to fostering conditions for coexistence between Israel and Palestine, despite Italyβs previous reservations regarding full membership in the committee.
The 'Peace Committee' has been established to supervise the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and requires substantial financial contributions for participation, with Trump demanding at least $1 billion from member states. While Italy will send an observer, it has chosen not to formally join the committee, reflecting concerns over compatibility with its constitution which emphasizes equality among member states in international organizations. This decision showcases a delicate balancing act between international engagement and adherence to domestic principles.
The decision by Italy to participate at an observational level, while not disregarding substantial domestic protests supporting the Palestinian government, indicates the complexities involved for governments navigating the polarized views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Currently, Hungary and Bulgaria are the only countries within the EU to formally join the committee, indicating a cautious approach among European nations towards deeper involvement in U.S.-led initiatives concerning the region.