The invitation to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon from United States President Donald J. Trump to join his "Board of Peace" for Gaza is an invitation that he should decisively and unequivocally decline.
The political situation prevailing in Gaza (Israel and the West Bank too) is seriously compromised by the continuing presence of Hamas which retains its arms, the persistent attacks by Israel on the people of Gaza despite a supposed ceasefire (during which more than 450 people have been killed) and the attacks by settlers on Palestinians on the West Bank.
This is a ceasefire in name only.
A board established by the US president, under his leadership, to control Gaza and undertake its reconstruction, lacks credibility despite this action being approved by the United Nations as part of Trump’s 20-point peace plan.
The UN seems to have abdicated its responsibilities, leaving Trump with a free hand.
Any control of Gaza should be the responsibility of the UN under explicit mandate from the member nations.
It cannot be left up to Trump and his appointees to control the enormous task of reconstruction.
The board’s decisions will be contaminated by suspicions of favouring American commercial, military and political interests.
Anyone taking a seat on this board will have their political integrity and credibility seriously damaged — not least by sharing seats at the table with such people as Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This board will be pressured by Israel’s government and Israel’s political support inside the United States, including within the US government, to comply with its view of the world.
That Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been invited to join this board compounds the inevitable conflicts of interest.
It should not be left to Trump to choose the members of this board.
Continued participation in the board is apparently contingent on payment of $US1 billion ($NZ1.6b).
If implemented, this will inevitably mean that only wealthy countries will be able to continue to participate. This is not how to do international politics.
Trump’s declared desire to establish a "Riviera"-style resort in Gaza will only compromise any reconstruction efforts, given his propensity to use the presidential office for his own personal financial gain and to boost his ego.
Such a mandate should also provide for the establishment of a government formed of Gaza’s residents (excluding anyone with ties to Hamas) as the path to a democratic, just settlement.
Various countries have declared their recognition of Gaza as a state, but that is a somewhat meaningless gesture as long as Gaza lacks a legitimate and functioning government chosen by its own people.
This board is another example of the tendency of Western nations to interfere in Middle East politics, with disastrous results.
Its apparent focus on reconstruction of the built environment and the inevitable financial exploitation will not lead to the development of a legitimate, functional state with a responsible governing body and engaged citizens who acknowledge the legitimacy of their political leaders.
It is likely that any state in Gaza established under the board would lack legitimacy in the eyes of its citizens.
Trump’s mode of operation is dominated by bullying and hectoring people into agreeing with him.
An invitation to join this board is an invitation to indulge his bullying methods and submission to the president’s will, an approach to politics which we have witnessed repeatedly during his public career.
Board members will be tainted by and considered responsible for the decisions made by Trump which they must rubber-stamp.
They will need to sacrifice their independent decision-making to appease the US president.
We have seen numerous members of the his staff making public pronouncements which seek to justify the unjustifiable and assert the truth of what are known falsehoods.
We would not want to see our prime minister caught up in the consequences of deplorable activity which will be the inevitable outcome of participation in this bogus Board of Peace.
I urge Luxon to decline the invitation and avoid entanglement (personally and for New Zealand) in what will inevitably be a controversial and bitterly contested exercise.
Our aid in reconstruction can be made through other channels.
• Chris Gousmett is a Mosgiel author.
