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Netanyahu Accepts Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ Invitation Despite ICC Warrant
Israeli PM Netanyahu joins Trump’s “Board of Peace” for Gaza reconstruction, sparking controversy amid ICC war crimes warrant.
ND
by News Desk
2026-01-21
Netanyahu Accepts Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ Invitation Despite ICC Warrant

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted an invitation from US President Donald Trump to join the controversial “Board of Peace,” a body intended to oversee the next phase of Gaza reconstruction and broader conflict-resolution initiatives.

Netanyahu’s office announced the acceptance on social media on Wednesday, despite an outstanding International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant accusing him of war crimes in Gaza in 2023.

The Board of Peace, unveiled as part of phase two of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, aims to manage governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, and large-scale funding in Gaza. Trump has indicated that the board could eventually expand its mandate to tackle other global conflicts, raising speculation it could function as a parallel or alternative body to the United Nations.

Netanyahu’s participation has been met with skepticism. Palestinian leaders view him as an obstacle to the board’s goals, believing his priority is the disarmament of Hamas rather than a comprehensive withdrawal from occupied areas. Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim noted that Palestinians doubt whether Netanyahu will fulfill the board’s intended responsibilities.

Other invitees include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Vietnam, Hungary, Kazakhstan, and Argentina. Several Western governments, including the UK, Italy, Norway, and Sweden, have either declined or are withholding decisions on participation. Permanent membership in the board reportedly requires a $1 billion contribution.

The executive committee of the board features prominent figures including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, son-in-law Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Trump’s deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel.

The decision has drawn criticism regarding the board’s objectivity, as some invitees face international legal scrutiny, while the board’s charter does not appear to limit its mandate solely to Gaza. China and other major powers have reaffirmed their support for the UN as the central body for international peace and security, emphasizing that the Board of Peace cannot replace the UN system.

The charter for the Board of Peace is expected to be signed by Trump on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, where he is scheduled to deliver a speech later this week.
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