By SCM REPORTER, JERUSALEM
Prime Minister BENJAMIN NETANYAHU has dramatically rejected Donald Trump’s new “Board of Peace” for Gaza, marking a rare and explosive rift between the two close allies.
In a stinging late-night statement, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) claimed the plan to install an international committee to run the war-torn enclave was “not coordinated” and directly “contradicts” Israeli policy.
The “Board of Peace”—described by some diplomats as a “Mini-UN”—was unveiled by the White House on Friday. It is intended to oversee the second phase of a fragile ceasefire, focusing on the reconstruction of Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas.
However, the inclusion of representatives from Turkey and Qatar—nations that have been fiercely critical of Israel’s military campaign—has sparked fury in Jerusalem.
‘Not Coordinated’
”The announcement regarding the composition of the Gaza Executive Board was made without coordination with Israel and runs counter to Israel’s policy,” a spokesperson for the PMO said.
Sources say the Israeli government was “blindsided” by the list of leaders, which includes former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
While the board features billionaire Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay, no official members of the Israeli government were included in the lineup.
The row has escalated so quickly that Netanyahu has ordered his Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, to bypass standard diplomatic channels and contact Marco Rubio directly to demand an explanation.
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir immediately backed the Prime Minister’s defiance, urging the military to “prepare to return to war” if Israel’s security interests are sidelined by the new international body.
The crisis centers on Donald Trump’s ambitious post-war vision for the Middle East. Under the plan, the Board of Peace (BoP) would serve as a transitional authority for Gaza.
The Players: Chaired by Trump himself, the board includes a “who’s who” of global figures, including Tony Blair, Jared Kushner, and World Bank President Ajay Banga.
The Cost: In a classic Trump move, the US administration has reportedly asked countries seeking a permanent seat on the board to contribute $1 billion toward Gaza’s reconstruction.
The Friction: Israel is particularly concerned that the board will allow Turkey and Qatar to have a permanent say in the security of its borders.
Netanyahu has long insisted that Israel must maintain “security control” over Gaza to prevent a repeat of the October 7 attacks.
The Ceasefire: The dispute comes as the Gaza ceasefire enters a “challenging second phase.”
While Hamas has expressed a willingness to hand over administrative power to a “technocratic committee” under the board’s oversight, they have not yet agreed to dismantle their military wing—a key Israeli demand.
