24.01.2026 17:50
The "Peace Council" established by U.S. President Donald Trump for peace in Gaza has become a topic of debate due to many member countries being subject to U.S. travel bans. The travel ban that Trump tightened at the beginning of this year restricts entry to the U.S. for 75 countries. It has been noted that many of these countries have been invited to the "Peace Council." Trump's contradiction regarding the functionality of the council has sparked a discussion about whether the council is symbolic or viable.
The "Peace Council," which U.S. President Donald Trump announced he established for peace in Gaza and presented as an alternative to the United Nations, became the center of controversy as soon as it was announced due to a significant portion of the invited countries being barred from entering the U.S. under its own travel bans.
ANNOUNCED IN DAVOS
According to a report by Independent Turkish, Trump introduced the Peace Council during a ceremony held on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Shaking hands one by one with the representatives of the invited countries, Trump stated that he was "friends" with all of them and claimed that the council would mediate in global conflicts.
NO EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AMONG THE INVITED
The countries invited to the council included Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan. The absence of any European country on the list was notable, while reports emerged that Russian President Vladimir Putin was also invited.
CONTRADICTION OF TRAVEL BAN
The travel ban, which the Trump administration tightened earlier this year, raised questions about the functionality of the council. The administration had indefinitely suspended immigrant visa processing for individuals from 75 countries, most of which were noted to be among those invited to the Peace Council.
COUNTRIES RESTRICTED FROM ENTERING THE U.S.
Particularly, the restrictions on U.S. entry for citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Jordan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan raised questions about how the council, which Trump claimed has the chance to be "one of the most important bodies ever created," would operate.
NEW GAZA PLAN
Trump's request for a $1 billion contribution from the members of the council, which was shaped after the ceasefire process established between Israel and Hamas with U.S. mediation, also became a focal point of criticism. During the opening ceremony, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner presented AI-supported visuals that included data centers, luxury housing, and coastal tourism for the "New Gaza."
The presentation included projects envisioning more than 100,000 housing units, 75 medical facilities, and high-tech infrastructure.
CLAIM OF "MOST IMPORTANT BODY"
Speaking at the meeting, Trump stated, "When America grows, the whole world grows." Trump, who argued that the Peace Council would ensure the demilitarization of Gaza, was supported by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said the structure would be an "action council."
IS IT SYMBOLIC OR APPLICABLE?
However, the fact that a significant portion of the invited countries is effectively banned from entering the U.S. raised the debate about whether the council, announced by Trump with the claim of global peace, is symbolic or applicable from the very first day.