In a significant turn of events, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday his decision to join President Donald Trump’s newly established Board of Peace. This decision follows Netanyahu’s earlier criticisms regarding the composition of its executive committee.
Netanyahu’s participation aligns with the Trump administration’s vision for the Board of Peace, which is intended to oversee the subsequent phases of the ambitious Gaza peace initiative.
This development comes after Netanyahu initially expressed reservations about Trump’s plan. His concerns arose over the inclusion of Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi in the separate “Gaza Executive Board.”
Netanyahu’s office conveyed that this aspect of the plan had not been coordinated with Israel and contradicted its established policy.
During a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on April 7, 2025, Benjamin Netanyahu shared his perspectives. This meeting took place in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
The announcement from Netanyahu coincides with President Trump’s attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Trump is anticipated to unveil further details about the board during this event. Fox News has reported that the president is arranging a signing ceremony for the Gaza Board of Peace during his stay.
On Tuesday, when asked if the board should replace the United Nations, Trump said, “It might.”
Trump said that the world body “hasn’t been very helpful” and “has never lived up to its potential,” but added that the U.N. should continue to exist “because the potential is so great.”
U.S. President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the White House for a meeting on April 7, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Chen Mengtong/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)
On Jan. 16, the White House said the Board of Peace will play an “essential role” in carrying out all 20 points of the president’s Gaza plan, including providing strategic oversight, mobilizing international resources and ensuring accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development.
Dozens of countries have been invited, with notices going out over the weekend, according to officials, including Belarus, China, Ukraine, India, Canada, Argentina, Jordan, Egypt, Hungary and Vietnam, among others.
Others, including the executive arm of the European Union, confirmed that they have received invitations but have not responded.
On Monday, Trump confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin received an invitation to join the new board.
The Kremlin said Putin had received the invitation and was “studying the details,” adding it will seek clarity on “all the nuances” in communications with the U.S. government.
France also received an invitation, but does not plan to join “at this stage,” according to a French official close to President Emmanuel Macron.
President Donald Trump joined the White House press briefing on Jan. 20, 2026, which marks his one-year anniversary return to the Oval Office. (Getty Images)
The White House has said Trump will chair the Board of Peace and be joined by senior political, diplomatic and business figures, including Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and billionaire Marc Rowan.
