Middle East Eye editor David Hearst has criticised U.S. President Donald Trump’s foreign policy, saying Trump runs Gaza and wider world affairs “like a mafia boss.” Hearst made the comments in an opinion article in Middle East Eye, arguing that Trump’s newly proposed “Board of Peace” initiative reflects a personal grab for power rather than a genuine peace plan. The board was created to help manage Gaza’s fragile ceasefire and broader peace efforts, but many nations, especially in Europe, have stayed away from joining it. 

According to Hearst, the structure of the Board of Peace and the way it was organised raises serious concerns about fairness and global governance. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Morocco have accepted invitations, but major Western allies such as France, Britain, Germany and Canada decided not to participate, reflecting scepticism about the initiative’s intentions and leadership. Critics argue that concentrating so much authority in one leader undermines established international systems like the United Nations. 

Hearst also argues that many of the founding members of the board lack deep understanding of the Middle East, especially the complex history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He wrote that some board figures have denied the severity of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and have backgrounds that raise questions about whether the initiative truly supports peace or instead favours certain political agendas. 

Overall, Hearst’s view is that the Board of Peace could weaken international cooperation and distract from genuine efforts to resolve long-standing conflict issues. He warned that running a major diplomatic initiative like this without broad support from global powers may do more harm than good, and that true peace in Gaza requires inclusive, balanced engagement by many nations, not the dominance of a single leader.