Jerusalem, Jan 22: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to join U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly formed “Board of Peace,” marking a notable shift in Israel’s stance on the initiative aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader global disputes.In a statement issued Wednesday, Netanyahu’s office confirmed that he accepted Trump’s invitation to become a member of the board, despite previously voicing concerns over the composition of its executive committee — particularly the inclusion of Turkey, a regional rival.
The Board of Peace, chaired by Trump, was initially conceived as a small group of world leaders tasked with overseeing the Gaza ceasefire plan. However, under U.S. stewardship its scope has expanded significantly, with invitations extended to dozens of countries and ambitions hinted at mediating conflicts beyond the Middle East.
Officials said that at least eight nations — including Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Argentina and Belarus — have already agreed to participate. Other invitees, such as the United Kingdom, Russia and the executive arm of the European Union, have yet to respond publicly.
The board’s detailed charter has not been officially released, but draft documents suggest a structure that grants significant authority to Trump as chairman and includes provisions for countries to secure permanent membership through financial contributions.
Trump is expected to provide further details on the initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where the board’s full framework may be outlined.
Netanyahu’s agreement comes amid continuing international debate over the effectiveness and legitimacy of the Board of Peace, especially as it appears to operate alongside or even outside traditional United Nations mechanisms for conflict resolution.