Israel refuses staged legitimacy for Gaza schemes sidelining Jerusalem while rewarding hostile Arab narratives.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly rejected a request from the White House to send President Isaac Herzog to the launch of US President Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza Board of Peace during the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Washington had hoped to place an Israeli figure on stage alongside Arab and Muslim leaders to project consensus for the Gaza initiative and frame it as a cornerstone of the ceasefire’s second phase. Israel’s absence, US officials feared, diluted the optics of unity.
Netanyahu, who did not attend Davos due to the International Criminal Court warrant against him, was asked to allow Herzog—already present at the forum—to represent Israel and sign the Board’s charter. He refused, making clear that the invitation was addressed to Israel’s elected head of government, not a substitute, and that Israel would not lend legitimacy to a plan that marginalizes its sovereign authority over Gaza.
Behind the scenes, repeated calls between senior White House officials and Netanyahu’s team grew increasingly tense as Washington pushed for a compromise. Israel was even listed as a participating country in late-stage documents, but Jerusalem did not budge. The Prime Minister held his ground until hours before the ceremony, forcing the White House to proceed without Israeli representation.
The episode reportedly strained ties—both between the Prime Minister’s Office and the President’s Office in Jerusalem, and between Jerusalem and Washington. Ultimately, US officials chose not to escalate, redirecting pressure toward practical border issues instead—specifically the opening of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza.
Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel shortly thereafter, with discussions expected to focus on Rafah logistics rather than symbolic ceremonies.
Israel’s message was unmistakable: peace cannot be choreographed on a global stage while ignoring the nation that fought, bled, and paid the price in Gaza.
