Israel Joins Trump's Board of Peace

Israel becomes a founding member of the controversial new international body tied to the U.S. Gaza peace plan.

Feb. 13, 2026 at 7:15am

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Israel has officially joined President Donald Trump's newly formed Board of Peace, an international organization that will oversee the next phase of the U.S. peace plan for Gaza. The announcement follows weeks of invitations sent to governments around the world as the Trump administration moves forward with what it has described as a new global initiative tied initially to Gaza and later expanded.

Why it matters

Israel's formal entry into the Board of Peace places it inside one of the most controversial and high-profile elements of Trump's evolving foreign policy agenda, particularly as it relates to Gaza and the wider Middle East. The board has drawn sharp divisions among U.S. allies, with some governments joining quickly and others declining outright over concerns about its mandate and governance structure.

The details

The Board of Peace is part of a wider structure unveiled by the White House, including the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, which is intended to advance the next phase of the U.S. peace plan, as well as multiple executive boards focused on diplomacy, development and governance. While dozens of countries were contacted, several governments have declined to join, citing concerns about the board's scope and its relationship to the United Nations.

  • Israel officially joined the Board of Peace on February 13, 2026.
  • The Board of Peace will hold its first meeting on February 19, 2026 in Washington to discuss Gaza's reconstruction.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who has positioned himself as the chairman of the Board of Peace.

Benjamin Netanyahu

The Prime Minister of Israel who said he signed Israel's accession as a member of the Board of Peace ahead of a meeting at the White House with President Trump.

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What’s next

With Israel now formally joining, attention is expected to turn to how actively member countries participate and whether additional governments will follow Israel by publicly accepting their invitations.

The takeaway

Israel's decision to join the Board of Peace further cements its close relationship with the Trump administration, even as the initiative faces skepticism and rejection from some U.S. allies over concerns about its mandate and governance. The board's ability to advance its goals will depend on whether it can attract broader international support beyond its initial members.