Netanyahu joins Trump’s Board of Peace

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to join US President Donald Trump’s new “Board of Peace”, despite earlier objections from his office about how parts of the body were set up.

Netanyahu’s office confirmed he had accepted the invitation to sit on the board, which Trump is chairing and says will be made up of world leaders. The board was initially presented as a mechanism to help manage the war between Israel and Hamas and guide Gaza’s reconstruction. But draft versions of its charter suggest much broader ambitions and little mention of Gaza itself, prompting concerns that it could sideline the United Nations.

Asked this week whether the board could replace the UN, Trump said: “It might.” He added that the UN “hasn’t been very helpful” and “has never lived up to its potential”, while also saying it should continue “because the potential is so great”.

Several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Vietnam, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Argentina and Belarus, have already agreed to take part. Others such as the UK, Russia, Turkey, Canada and the European Union have confirmed they were invited but have not yet said whether they will join. Norway has ruled itself out, while France and Sweden have also indicated that they will not participate.

According to draft documents seen by media organisations, countries would normally serve renewable three-year terms. However, states that contribute $1bn (£740m) within the first year could secure a permanent seat. The proposed charter also gives Trump sweeping powers as chair, including control over membership invitations, voting procedures and the creation or dissolution of subsidiary bodies.

The document describes the board as “an international organisation that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict”. It adds that it must have “the courage to depart from approaches and institutions that have too often failed”.

Netanyahu’s decision marks a shift in tone. His office had previously criticised the makeup of the Gaza executive committee, saying it had been formed without coordination with Israel and was “contrary to its policy”. Israeli media reported particular anger over the inclusion of Turkey and Qatar, both of which played roles in brokering the current ceasefire.

The White House has already named members of a seven-person founding executive board, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and former UK prime minister Tony Blair.

A separate Gaza executive board has also been announced to oversee the second phase of Trump’s peace plan. That phase is meant to include Gaza’s reconstruction, the demilitarisation of the territory, the disarmament of Hamas and a full Israeli withdrawal. Nickolay Mladenov, a former UN Middle East envoy, will act as the board’s representative on the ground and liaise with a Palestinian technocratic government managing day-to-day affairs.

The Gaza ceasefire itself remains fragile. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since it came into force, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, while Israel says three of its soldiers have been killed in Palestinian attacks. Hamas and Israel also remain far apart on key issues such as weapons, governance and the future status of Gaza.

Diplomats have warned that the expanding scope of the Board of Peace risks undermining existing international institutions. Trump, who has long criticised the UN, recently announced the US would withdraw from dozens of international organisations and treaties, many linked to the UN system.

With invitations still going out and key allies undecided, the future shape — and influence — of Trump’s new board remains unclear.