Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted an invitation to join US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace.
A statement from his office said Netanyahu would become a member of the board 'which is to be comprised of world leaders'.
The board was originally thought to be aimed at helping end the two-year war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and oversee reconstruction. But its proposed charter does not mention the Palestinian territory and appears to be designed to supplant functions of the UN.
The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have also agreed to join the board, alongside Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Morocco, and Vietnam. Many other countries have expressed reservations.
It is unclear how many countries have been invited to join Trump's initiative. Notably, Canada, Russia, Turkey, and the UK have been approached but have not publicly responded.
Norway has stated it will not join because the current proposal raises several questions, while France and Sweden have indicated similar intentions.
The charter leaked to the media stipulates that member states will have a renewable three-year term or a permanent position if they contribute $1 billion in funding. The Board of Peace is described as an entity that promotes stability and peace in conflict-affected areas in accordance with international law.
Trump is expected to chair the board while selecting prominent global figures to serve on the executive board, which will aid in its mission.
While Netanyahu's involvement in the Board of Peace suggests a commitment to moving forward, there remain significant hurdles in negotiating peace in Gaza effectively, particularly with Palestinians involved in the process.
