Netanyahu to join Gaza board of peace amid controversy

US President Donald Trump Invites Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Join “Board of Peace”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted an invitation from US President Donald Trump to join the “Board of Peace”, a new initiative aimed at promoting peace and cooperation in the Middle East. The announcement was made by Netanyahu’s office on social media, despite the International Criminal Court (ICC) having issued a warrant for his arrest for war crimes in Gaza.

The Board of Peace is part of phase two of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas to end Israel’s conflict with Gaza. The initiative brings together world leaders from various countries, including the US, UAE, Morocco, Vietnam, Belarus, Hungary, Kazakhstan, and Argentina, as well as representatives from international organizations such as the World Bank.

Netanyahu’s participation in the Board of Peace has raised concerns about its objectivity, given that Trump will lead the board and control its lineup. Other leaders who have been invited to join the board include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

The executive committee of the Board of Peace includes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The White House has also announced the members of another board, the Gaza Executive Board, which will be responsible for implementing the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.

It is not clear how many or which other leaders will receive invitations to join the Board of Peace. Netanyahu’s office had previously criticized the makeup of the executive committee, citing concerns about its coordination with the Israeli government.

Source: Al Jazeera