Washington: Israel has officially joined the peace initiative launched by US President Donald J. Trump, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing the decision during his visit to Washington.
Speaking after meetings at the White House, Netanyahu said Israel would take part in what the United States is calling a Board of Peace, a new diplomatic platform aimed at supporting stability in Gaza and promoting wider regional peace efforts.
The announcement followed discussions between Netanyahu and President Trump, along with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Both sides stressed the importance of close coordination between Israel and the United States on security and political issues in the Middle East.
The Board of Peace is expected to hold its first leaders meeting in Washington on February 19. According to US officials, the main focus will be reconstruction efforts in Gaza and maintaining the fragile ceasefire that has been in place since last year.
Despite the ceasefire, the situation in Gaza remains tense. Humanitarian needs are high, and concerns about renewed violence continue to worry regional and international leaders. The new board is seen by Washington as a way to support stability and encourage cooperation among key partners.
However, the initiative has drawn criticism from some international observers. Critics argue that it could weaken the role of the United Nations and question the absence of direct Palestinian representation in the structure.
During the Washington talks, Iran was also a major topic. President Trump said negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program should continue, while Netanyahu repeated Israel’s concerns about Iran’s missile program and its support for armed groups in the region. No major breakthrough was announced on the Iran issue, but both leaders said they would remain in close contact.
Israel’s decision to join the Board of Peace signals continued strong ties between Israel and the United States. It also places Israel at the center of a new diplomatic effort at a time when the region remains deeply divided and uncertain.
With the first meeting of the board just days away, attention will now turn to whether the initiative can produce concrete steps toward reconstruction in Gaza and reduce wider tensions involving Iran and other regional players.