Trump’s Gaza Peace Board Faces Israeli Backlash

Israel opposes Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza reconstruction led by Kushner, Rubio, and Blair.

Trump Names Kushner, Rubio, Blair to Gaza “Board of Peace,” Israel Pushes Back

President Donald Trump announced the first members of a new U.S.-led body aimed at overseeing postwar reconstruction and governance in Gaza, dubbed the “Board of Peace,” triggering immediate objections from Israel over the lineup and lack of coordination.

According to the White House, the board’s executive committee will include Jared Kushner, Marco Rubio, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and former UK prime minister Tony Blair, with Trump himself chairing the panel. The administration said members will oversee areas such as reconstruction, investment, and regional diplomacy as part of Phase 2 of Trump’s broader Gaza peace plan.

Alongside the main body, Washington unveiled a subordinate Gaza Executive Board to manage implementation on the ground. In addition to Kushner, Witkoff, and Blair, that board would include Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari diplomat Ali al-Thawadi. Their inclusion prompted sharp criticism from Israel. The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the announcement “was not coordinated with Israel” and “runs contrary to its policy,” arguing that Turkey and Qatar are actors Israel believes would work to ensure Hamas’s survival. Netanyahu instructed Israel’s foreign minister to raise the issue directly with Rubio.

Israeli political figures across the spectrum echoed the concern. Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the move a “total diplomatic failure,” while National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged preparations to resume large-scale military operations in Gaza to achieve the war’s core objective of destroying Hamas.

The White House has not yet addressed one of the plan’s central obstacles: reconstruction is conditioned on Israel withdrawing forces and Hamas relinquishing its weapons. Palestinians have also voiced skepticism, with critics saying the initiative risks entrenching outside control while denying Palestinians political self-determination.

U.S. officials signaled the board could eventually expand beyond Gaza. Trump has reportedly invited dozens of countries to participate and even asked Netanyahu to join or designate a representative. While the administration insists the focus remains Gaza, critics have warned the initiative resembles a U.S.-led alternative to existing international frameworks.

More members are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, as questions persist over the board’s authority, legitimacy, and ability to operate amid an ongoing ceasefire dispute and unresolved security conditions on the ground.