While children in Gaza search for warmth inside tents and broken buildings, Washington hosts meetings under the title of a new “Board of Peace” launched by President Donald Trump.

The name sounds important. But the questions are even bigger.

In Gaza, children do not hear conference speeches. They are not protected by slogans about peace hanging on the walls of luxury halls. Under the rubble, mothers know that words do not stop missiles. Statements of condemnation do not rebuild homes. Speeches do not wipe away the tears of a child who has lost his family.

In Gaza, children do not hear conference speeches. They are not protected by slogans about peace hanging on the walls of luxury halls. Under the rubble, mothers know that words do not stop missiles. Statements of condemnation do not rebuild homes. Speeches do not wipe away the tears of a child who has lost his family.

They speak about peace.

But peace does not come with bombing.

It is not born from ruins.

It cannot be written in ink while reality is written in fire.

The problem of legitimacy before politics

The main issue with this “Board of Peace” is not only its political goals, but its legitimacy.

Any framework that ignores the United Nations and international law weakens the global system that was built after World War II. The Palestinian cause has long been addressed through international resolutions........

© Middle East Monitor