Israel’s Netanyahu Joins Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted an invitation from US President Donald Trump to join the newly established “Board of Peace,” a body aimed at resolving conflicts worldwide. Netanyahu’s office confirmed the decision on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s office announced: “Prime Minister Netanyahu has accepted US President Donald Trump’s invitation and will join as a member of the Board of Peace, which will be composed of leaders from around the world.”

Originally conceived to oversee the reconstruction of post-war Gaza, the board’s mandate, as outlined in the charter seen by AFP, extends beyond Palestinian territories. Members of the board will be required to contribute up to $1 billion for a permanent seat on the body.

According to the preamble of the charter sent to the invited nations, the board aims to “promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.” It will be chaired by Trump, who will also serve as the United States’ representative on the board.

The initiative has attracted the attention of numerous global leaders, including US allies and adversaries alike. However, France, a long-time ally of the United States, has indicated that it will not join the board.

In a further development, President Trump announced plans to establish a “Gaza Executive Board” under the Board of Peace. This executive body will include Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi, both of whom have been strongly opposed by Netanyahu.

Tensions between Turkey and Israel have escalated since the October 2023 outbreak of war in Gaza, following a devastating attack by Hamas on Israel.

As part of a broader truce plan introduced by Trump in October, a committee of 15 Palestinian technocrats has also been formed to oversee Gaza’s day-to-day governance. This committee, led by Gaza native and former Palestinian Authority deputy minister Ali Shaath, began its work in Cairo earlier this week.

The formation of the “Board of Peace” and its various offshoots marks a significant step in Trump’s efforts to reshape Middle Eastern diplomacy, though its future remains uncertain as some international leaders express concerns about its composition.