New Zealand has rejected an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to join a Gaza-focused “Peace Council,” citing serious uncertainty over the initiative’s purpose and its relationship with the United Nations.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon confirmed that his country will not participate in the Peace Council established by President Trump in its current form. The government said it lacks sufficient clarity regarding the scope of the body and its future role.
Luxon was reported as saying, “The government considered President Trump’s invitation and has decided not to join the Peace Council in its current configuration.” The decision was said to have the backing of all three parties in the governing coalition.
UN emphasis and concerns over uncertainty
The New Zealand government noted that the draft charter released for the council does not explicitly reference the Gaza conflict, raising questions about its intent. Officials also expressed concerns about whether the initiative aims to replace the United Nations.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the council would only be meaningful if it were compatible with and complementary to the UN Charter. Peters was also reported to have said that several countries in the region are already contributing to the process and that New Zealand would not add significant additional value.
Distance from Western allies
With New Zealand’s decision, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Germany have also emerged as countries distancing themselves from Trump’s initiative. It was recalled that Canada and several other Western nations have likewise declined to participate.
Although Trump has argued that the council would work alongside the United Nations, recent U.S. withdrawals from some UN bodies were said to have undermined the credibility of those claims.