Israel’s Netanyahu says yes to Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace, which many fear could ‘replace’ UN

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given his assent to join the Gaza Board of Peace, which many suspect could emerge as an alternative to the United Nations as far as managing global conflicts is concerned.

Netanyahu’s office had earlier criticised the constituents of the board’s committee, whose primary task is to oversee Gaza reconstruction.

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The Gaza Board of Peace will be chaired by Trump, and it was initially envisaged as a group of global leaders who would oversee the Gaza ceasefire plan. However, the scope and constitution of the board have since expanded and the United States President has extended invitations to many other countries, including India, to join the initiative.

There are suggestions and reports that Trump may look at the Board of Peace to expand its influence to other global conflicts and eventually be seen as an alternative to the UN.

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Trump is at the moment en route to Davos in Switzerland, where he is due to deliver a much-anticipated speech amid his Greenland rhetoric. It is also expected that Trump may unveil his broader vision for the Gaza Board of Peace during his address.

Netanyahu’s office had initially opposed the board, stating its constitution was done without the knowledge of the Israeli government. The Gaza board constituents include Turkey, which is Israel’s key regional rival.

However, the turnaround in Netanyahu’s views could cause trouble for him domestically, as several of his coalition allies believe only Israel should be responsible for Gaza’s future.

Meanwhile, Norway and Sweden have declined the invitations to join the Gaza Board of Peace, like France, which has also indicated that the board could eventually seek to replace the UN as a mediator in international conflicts.

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Azerbaijan and Kosovo, on the other hand, have said yes to the invitations for the Gaza board.

Among other countries that have accepted the invitation to join the board are the United Arab Emirates, Armenia, Morocco, Vietnam, Belarus, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Argentina, Bahrain and Egypt.

The countries which have been invited to join the board, other than India, include the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, Ukraine, China, Egypt, Paraguay, Turkey, Slovenia, Croatia, Thailand and the European Union’s executive arm.