Media: Netanyahu may skip Board of Peace meeting during US visit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to use his current visit to the United States for bilateral talks, which would allow him to avoid attending the first session of the Board of Peace, scheduled for February 19 and initiated by President Donald Trump.

According to Al-Monitor, citing Israeli sources, “an additional benefit of the meeting is that he (Netanyahu) will be able to avoid the ceremonial session of the Board of Peace in Washington."

Originally, Netanyahu was expected to participate in next week’s American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference. However, his unscheduled visit now gives him the opportunity to skip both the conference and the Board of Peace session.

Sources indicate that Netanyahu agreed to Israel joining the Peace Council under pressure from Washington. This decision has reportedly upset far-right partners within his Likud party, as it suggests further compromises on the Gaza Strip.

Al-Monitor notes that the prime minister remains sceptical about the current trajectory of the Board of Peace. He reportedly believes that Trump intends to delegate key roles in maintaining peace and rebuilding Gaza to Qatar and Türkiye, countries with which Israel has significant disagreements.

By Tamilla Hasanova