On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his decision to join President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace, despite previously expressing concerns about the composition of its executive committee.

Netanyahu’s participation in the Board of Peace comes as the Trump administration prepares to oversee the next steps in the Gaza peace initiative. This development signifies a shift from Netanyahu’s earlier stance, where he voiced objections to Trump’s proposed members for the separate “Gaza Executive Board.”

The initial resistance from the Israeli prime minister was sparked by the inclusion of Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi. Their appointments, according to Netanyahu’s office, had not been coordinated with Israel and were said to be contrary to Israeli policy.

Netanyahu’s office emphasized that the decision to include these figures was made without consulting Israel, highlighting a discord with the country’s diplomatic strategy.

The image shows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House on April 7, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

The announcement coincides with Trump’s trip to the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, where he is expected to provide more details about the board. Fox News confirmed that the president is planning to arrange a signing ceremony for the Gaza Board of Peace during his visit.

On Tuesday, when asked if the board should replace the United Nations, Trump said, “It might.”

Trump said that the world body “hasn’t been very helpful” and “has never lived up to its potential,” but added that the U.N. should continue to exist “because the potential is so great.”

U.S. President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the White House for a meeting on April 7, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Chen Mengtong/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)

On Jan. 16, the White House said the Board of Peace will play an “essential role” in carrying out all 20 points of the president’s Gaza plan, including providing strategic oversight, mobilizing international resources and ensuring accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development.

Dozens of countries have been invited, with notices going out over the weekend, according to officials, including Belarus, China, Ukraine, India, Canada, Argentina, Jordan, Egypt, Hungary and Vietnam, among others.

Others, including the executive arm of the European Union, confirmed that they have received invitations but have not responded.

On Monday, Trump confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin received an invitation to join the new board.

The Kremlin said Putin had received the invitation and was “studying the details,” adding it will seek clarity on “all the nuances” in communications with the U.S. government.

France also received an invitation, but does not plan to join “at this stage,” according to a French official close to President Emmanuel Macron.

President Donald Trump joined the White House press briefing on Jan. 20, 2026, which marks his one-year anniversary return to the Oval Office. (Getty Images)

The White House has said Trump will chair the Board of Peace and be joined by senior political, diplomatic and business figures, including Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and billionaire Marc Rowan.