By John Q. Hosedrinker 
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the ‘Board of Peace’ charter, a part of Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza. Following this, Israel stated it would not allow Pakistan to participate in Gaza’s transition or peacekeeping efforts, with an Israeli official citing Pakistan’s support for terrorism. This decision has sparked criticism within Pakistan, with political opposition demanding a referendum on the matter, as many view the charter as being against Palestinian interests. The Board of Peace, meant to resolve global conflicts, has only gained participation from fewer than twenty countries, which may have to pay a significant amount for permanent membership.
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‘Pakistan not welcome’: Israel’s stance against ‘terror backers’ after PM Sharif signs up for Trump’s Board of Peace is shaping up to be a diplomatic powder keg, and honestly, the unfolding drama is almost too good to be true. The very premise – a “Board of Peace” assembled by the former US president, Donald Trump, and packed with a motley crew of nations with often conflicting interests – was always bound to be a rollercoaster. Now, with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Sharif jumping on board and Israel seemingly drawing a hard line, we’re seeing the cracks appear in the facade, and the potential for a spectacular implosion.
The core of the issue, as everyone seems to be pointing out, stems from the fundamental lack of recognition between Pakistan and Israel. Pakistan doesn’t formally acknowledge Israel’s existence, a fact proudly displayed on its passports, which explicitly state their validity for all countries *except* Israel. So, the irony of Pakistan signing up for a board alongside a nation it doesn’t even recognize is quite rich.
It’s difficult to miss the financial element in all of this. It appears that Pakistan, like other nations, has contributed a hefty sum – rumored to be around a billion dollars – to be a part of this exclusive club. One can only imagine the collective eye-rolling if Pakistan is now excluded after paying up. Will there be refunds? Unlikely, given the track record and the potential for Trump to simply declare “mission accomplished” regardless.
The composition of the board itself, and the wider group of countries involved, is also contributing to the intrigue. The involvement of nations like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and Jordan, alongside Turkey, Hungary, and others, is a recipe for internal conflict and disagreement. The personalities involved – from Trump himself, to Jared Kushner, Tony Blair, and various ministers – are well-known figures with their own agendas, further complicating the matter.
The Gaza Executive Board, a sub-group focused on Gaza administration and reconstruction, presents another potential battleground. With representatives from Israel, Turkey, Qatar, the UAE, and Egypt involved, managing reconstruction efforts while navigating political divides and accusations of supporting terrorism will be a monumental challenge.
The term “Axis of Idiots” is thrown around, reflecting a sense of disbelief and a lack of faith in the board’s long-term viability. The fact that the chairman holds a lifetime role and the potential for him to act unilaterally raises serious questions about the board’s ability to act independently and impartially.
Beyond the political and financial machinations, there’s also the underlying issue of accusations of terrorism and support for extremist groups. If Pakistan is deemed to support terrorism, Israel’s reluctance to welcome them on the board becomes understandable.
The board’s very existence seems to defy logic. The lack of clear objectives, the conflicting interests of the member states, and the questionable judgment of its key figures all point to a high probability of failure. The “Board of Peace” may quickly turn into a source of friction and conflict, and ultimately, a cautionary tale about the perils of mixing incompatible agendas and personalities.