The United States has reached out to Israel with an invitation to join President Donald Trump’s newly proposed “Board of Peace,” a global initiative aimed at resolving conflicts around the world. The move comes as Trump seeks to expand his influence in international diplomacy, but it has already raised questions in Jerusalem over the board’s composition and approach.
A Bold Proposal With Global Ambitions
Trump announced the idea of the Board of Peace last September, framing it as a way to end the war in Gaza and other international conflicts. The recent invitation sent to world leaders, including Israel, expands that role, giving the board the authority to intervene in disputes globally.
Sources familiar with the matter confirmed to Reuters that Israel has received the invitation, but the country has not yet publicly accepted or rejected it. Officials in the Israeli Prime Minister’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
While Trump presents the initiative as a chance for stability, some argue it risks bypassing established diplomatic channels and traditional negotiations.
Israel Questions the Gaza Executive Board
The board’s Gaza Executive Board, meant to operate under the larger Board of Peace, has drawn early criticism from Israeli officials. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the composition conflicts with Israel’s policies in the region.
The Gaza board includes Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and a Qatari official, both figures Israel sees as problematic. Israel has a tense relationship with Qatar, which mediates between Israel and Hamas, and long-standing disputes with Turkey in the region make their involvement controversial.
No Palestinians have been included in the board, a point that has also raised concerns among observers who fear the board could be out of touch with local realities.
Implications for Middle East Diplomacy
The invitation to Israel signals Washington’s intent to play a more hands-on role in the Middle East. By creating a new framework like the Board of Peace, the U.S. is bypassing traditional regional mechanisms and asserting itself as a primary decision-maker in conflict resolution.
Some analysts see this as a daring move, while others warn it risks alienating key regional actors and undermining local ownership of peace processes.
A Test of Israel-U.S. Relations
Accepting could signal alignment with Trump’s vision and greater cooperation on global conflict issues. Rejecting it could mark a rare public difference between Washington and Jerusalem, highlighting sensitivities over third-party involvement in Gaza.
The U.S. continues to promote the initiative as a step toward stability and prosperity in conflict zones, but with Israel voicing early reservations, the effectiveness of the Board of Peace remains uncertain.
Looking Ahead
The composition of the board, the absence of Palestinians, and the inclusion of actors Israel mistrusts all point to a complicated road ahead.
In practice, the Board of Peace could become a testing ground for Trump’s broader foreign policy ambitions.
This initiative is a daring attempt to reshape global diplomacy, but the challenge will be balancing ambition with reality on the ground.
