By Janet Ekstract, ISTANBUL- On January 21, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said he agreed to join U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace. Originally, the Board of Peace was supposed to be just a small group of world leaders but Trump has now extended invitations to dozens of nations. Trump also gave the impression that the board might be instrumental in brokering global conflicts in the future. Initially, Netanyahu’s office objected to the composition of the Gaza executive committee that includes Israel’s key regional rival, Turkiye. His office said that the makeup of the board was “contrary to its policy.” Netanyahu’s far-right ministers are not too pleased with his joining the board since they want Israel to have sole control over Gaza but Netanyahu’s presence allows him to find out exactly what’s happening with Gaza at every turn. Netanyahu’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich who was highly critical of the board, has called for Israel to take unilateral responsibility for Gaza’s future.
Other nations who have joined the Board of Peace include United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Vietnam, Belarus, Hungary, Kazakhstan and Argentina. Others who were invited and have not yet given their decisions, include the United Kingdom, Canada, Egypt, Russia, Turkiye and the executive arm of the European Union. Netanyahu announced his decision as Trump was traveling to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Trump is expected to give more details on the board at the Davos summit.
