Funds for Trump’s Board of Peace Unaccounted, Sources Say
The Financial Times reported that no money has been deposited into the World Bank account established for President Trump’s Board of Peace, an international body created to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction. Reporter Abigail Hauslohner told NPR that five sources with direct knowledge confirmed the account has received no contributions from donor countries, including the United States. However, donations from the United Arab Emirates and Morocco, and possibly from private groups, were sent directly to a J.P. Morgan account that the board controls. That private account has no reporting requirement for donors or spending, unlike the World Bank mechanism. Hauslohner stated none of the money has been spent inside Gaza because there is no Palestinian transitional government to receive funds and no resolution on governing laws. A ceasefire announced last fall was described as largely in name, with fighting continuing and the population in dire humanitarian conditions. The Board of Peace told the Financial Times that donors simply preferred the J.P. Morgan account and that they are not hoarding money for projects that cannot be delivered.
What’s reported
The World Bank account for Trump’s Board of Peace has received zero contributions from donor countries, including the United States, according to five sources with direct knowledge.
Donations from the United Arab Emirates and Morocco, and possibly private groups, were sent directly into a J.P. Morgan account accessible by the board.
The J.P. Morgan account has no requirement to report who donates, how much, or how funds are spent.
Some of the money is intended for Palestinian police training and board salaries.
No money has been spent inside Gaza because there is no Palestinian transitional government and no resolution on governing laws.
The ceasefire announced last fall is largely in name, with continued fighting and dire humanitarian conditions.
The Board of Peace stated that donors preferred the J.P. Morgan account but could not explain why.
Open questions
The exact total of donations deposited into the J.P. Morgan account.
Why donors chose the private account over the World Bank mechanism.
Whether any private groups donated and their identities.
When a Palestinian transitional government might be established.
Key figures
Abigail Hauslohner: Financial Times reporter who broke the story.
Steve Inskeep: NPR host who interviewed Hauslohner.
Sources: NPR
