Trump Board of Peace: Netanyahu Joins Despite ICC Warrant

They've shaken hands, but the fists remain clenched. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to join the newly formed 'Board of Peace.' The announcement came from the Prime Minister's office on Jan 21, 2026, sparking intense debate given that the International Criminal Court (ICC) still holds an active arrest warrant for Netanyahu regarding alleged war crimes in Gaza.

The Vision of the Trump Board of Peace

Unveiled as part of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, Trump envisages the board as a powerhouse for 'governance capacity-building' and 'capital mobilization.' The lineup is a mix of high-profile political and business figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, and Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan. The board's primary goal's to oversee the reconstruction and investment attraction for the war-torn enclave.

Netanyahu's participation's already raising eyebrows regarding the board's objectivity. While his office previously criticized the inclusion of regional rival Turkiye in the executive committee, he's now decided to take a seat at the table. Meanwhile, Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich remains vocal in his opposition, calling for Israel to take unilateral control over Gaza's future instead.

A Controversial Lineup on the World Stage

Netanyahu isn't the only invitee with a legal cloud over his head. Russian President Vladimir Putin was also invited to join earlier this week, despite being indicted over the four-year war in Ukraine. The board currently counts members from the UAE, Morocco, and Argentina, while the UK and the EU haven't yet responded to their invitations.