Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted an invitation from United States President Donald Trump to join the “board of peace.”
The Israeli leader’s office announced on social media that Netanyahu is to join the initiative, despite the International Criminal Court (ICC) having issued a warrant for his arrest for war crimes in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s acceptance of a place on the board comes despite his office having earlier criticised the makeup of the executive committee, which includes Israel’s regional rival, Turkiye.
The “Board of Peace” was unveiled as part of phase two of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas to end Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.
Numerous world leaders have been invited to join the body, which Trump envisages would oversee “governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilisation” in the enclave.
Meanwhile, the Israeli leader’s participation – despite the ICC warrant issued in 2023 that accuses him of overseeing crimes against humanity in Gaza – will add to concerns over the objectivity of the board, which Trump will lead while maintaining control of its lineup.
Netanyahu is not the only invitee wanted by the ICC for war crimes. Russian President, Vladimir Putin was invited to join the board on Monday, despite being indicted over Russia’s nearly four-year war on Ukraine.
The Kremlin said that it was seeking to “clarify all the nuances” of the offer with Washington, without elaborating on whether Putin was inclined to join.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a Putin ally, was also reportedly invited to join the group by Trump.
Board members include the UAE, Morocco, Vietnam, Belarus, Hungary, Kazakhstan and Argentina. Others, including the United Kingdom and the executive arm of the European Union, say they have received invitations but have not yet responded.
It was not immediately clear how many or which other leaders would receive invitations.
Azerbaijan said today that it had accepted an invitation to join. It was followed shortly afterwards by Kosovo.
China has confirmed receiving an invitation but has yet to announce whether it plans to accept.
Meanwhile, Sweden said that it would not participate, given the text presented so far. Norway would also refuse the invitation, the Prime Minister’s office in Oslo said.
Italy will not take part either, the Corriere della Sera newspaper reported, noting that joining would violate the country’s constitution, which stipulates that it may only join international organisations that ensure “peace and justice among nations … on equal terms with other states.”
The executive board’s members include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Trump’s Deputy National Security Adviser, Robert Gabriel.
Netanyahu’s office had previously said the executive committee was not coordinated with the Israeli government and “is contrary to its policy”, without clarifying its objections.
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has criticised the board and called for Israel to take unilateral responsibility for Gaza’s future.
Trump To Sign Board Of Peace Charter
Media have reported that Trump intends to sign the charter of the Board of Peace on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he is expected to deliver a speech later today.
The US President has expressed a desire to expand the board’s mandate to address crises and conflicts worldwide, not just Gaza.
That has raised suggestions that he hopes it could replace the United Nations, which he has repeatedly criticised as dysfunctional.
When asked by a reporter on Tuesday if the board should replace the UN, Trump said the UN should continue “because the potential is so great.”
However, he added that the Board of Peace “might” take over as the UN “hasn’t been very helpful” and “has never lived up to its potential.”
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