By: Fern Sidman – Jewish Voice News

President Trump on Wednesday expressed confidence that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will soon join the newly created Board of Peace, the international body charged with administering and overseeing the redevelopment of Gaza for the next two years. According to a report that appeared at Israel National News, Trump’s remarks came during the U.S.–Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, one day after the United Nations Security Council formally approved a U.S.-sponsored resolution establishing the Board and granting it wide-ranging authority.

The resolution, which passed earlier in the week, designates Trump as chairman of the Board of Peace, giving him broad supervisory powers over reconstruction efforts, governance guidance, and international cooperation tied to Gaza’s post-conflict stabilization. As the Israel National News report noted, the Board is envisioned as a multinational coalition of governmental leaders, technical experts, and representatives from major global powers.

Speaking to business leaders, investors, and senior officials at Wednesday’s forum, Trump delivered an upbeat assessment of the Board’s prospects and emphasized his expectation that the Saudi Crown Prince will take a prominent role.

“They endorsed the United Nations, what’s called the Board of Peace, chaired by a person called Donald J. Trump,” he said, referencing the Security Council’s decision. “I accepted the chairmanship. They asked me to be chairman. That’s what I needed. It’s just a little more work. But it’s a great honor. That’ll be the greatest board ever assembled.”

Trump continued by praising the anticipated composition of the Board, insisting its membership “will blow every board away” and describing it as a historic formation of global leadership. He then expressed his belief that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman would be among the most distinguished figures on the international panel.

“And I believe we’re going to be lucky enough to have the Crown Prince be a very distinguished member of the board,” Trump added, echoing earlier comments made during the previous night’s dinner in honor of the Saudi leader.

According to the information provided in the Israel National News report, the prospective role of the Crown Prince was a recurring theme during Trump’s interactions with him throughout the week. At Tuesday’s black-tie dinner at the White House, Trump again publicly encouraged the Saudi leader to join the Board of Peace, stating, “I hope your Highness will be on the board.”

The dinner followed an extended meeting between the two leaders earlier in the day, during which the White House confirmed that the United States and Saudi Arabia had concluded a comprehensive package of agreements deepening their strategic partnership. Israel National News reported that the discussions included economic cooperation, defense coordination, and a series of major investment commitments by the kingdom.

Trump suggested the Board of Peace would ultimately expand into a large multinational body, stating that “everybody wants to be on the board, and it’ll end up being quite a large board because it’ll be the heads of every major country.”

While the resolution outlines an initial focus on Gaza’s reconstruction, Trump hinted earlier in the week that the mandate could eventually broaden, though no additional details were provided by U.S. officials.

As described in the Israel National News report, the creation of the Board of Peace represents a significant shift in the international administration of Gaza. The Security Council resolution envisions a two-year period during which the Board will coordinate reconstruction funding, infrastructure development, humanitarian initiatives, and security arrangements alongside participating regional and global partners.

Saudi Arabia’s potential presence on the Board follows months of diplomatic engagement between Washington and Riyadh on Gaza’s long-term future. The Crown Prince’s expected role signals the kingdom’s growing interest in influencing regional stabilization efforts, including those involving Palestinian governance, economic development, and regional coordination.

During his Wednesday speech, Trump also reiterated the United States’ commitment to providing advanced U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a key component of the broader strategic alignment pursued by both governments. Israel National News reported that Trump sought to reassure the Crown Prince and forum participants that the transfer of aircraft would proceed without delay.

“We’re working on getting that approved very quickly,” Trump said. “It’s already approved, don’t worry. We have to go through a process… the process will take 24 hours, so you’re in good shape.”

The F-35 arrangement, according to earlier reports from Israel National News, reflects an effort to modernize Saudi Arabia’s defense capabilities while deepening coordination between Washington and Riyadh. The acceleration of the approval process signals the administration’s desire to move swiftly in formalizing the defense package.

The agreements finalized between the United States and Saudi Arabia during the Crown Prince’s visit represent one of the most comprehensive updates to bilateral strategic cooperation in recent years. According to the report at Israel National News, the White House described the outcome of the talks as a “sweeping series of agreements” designed to deepen political, economic, and security ties.

The context for the Crown Prince’s visit carries particular diplomatic weight. This marks his first trip to the United States since 2018, a period that saw both countries recalibrate the pace and nature of official engagements. Yet, the current U.S. administration has emphasized renewed partnership, seeking Saudi involvement in regional stabilization efforts, including in Gaza.

Trump’s public emphasis on the Crown Prince’s prospective membership in the Board of Peace underscores Washington’s anticipation that Riyadh will assume an influential role in shaping Gaza’s reconstruction strategy. Saudi Arabia has previously signaled interest in broader normalization and regional coordination frameworks, contingent upon long-term political and economic conditions.

The U.S.–Saudi Investment Forum, where Trump delivered his remarks, featured extensive discussions on investment flows, technology cooperation, and economic diversification. As noted in the Israel National News report, the event brought together prominent American and Saudi business leaders, cabinet officials, and senior policymakers.

The forum highlighted the kingdom’s pledge to increase its U.S. investments from an earlier commitment of $600 billion to a projected $1 trillion, although the Crown Prince did not specify an implementation timeline. Trump, seated beside the Crown Prince during Wednesday’s program, described the pledge as evidence of Saudi Arabia’s confidence in American markets and economic prospects.

The gathering also featured high-profile business representation from multiple sectors, reinforcing the impression of deepening cross-border economic ties. Forum participants addressed a range of initiatives from defense technology to infrastructure investment, with Gaza’s redevelopment emerging as a central topic in conversations between government and business leaders.

As developments continue to unfold, the formation of the Board of Peace remains a focal point of international diplomatic attention. With the United Nations resolution establishing its mandate and President Trump accepting its chairmanship, the next phase will involve formal invitations, membership confirmations, and the establishment of operational mechanisms for overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction.

Saudi Arabia’s anticipated participation represents a significant element of the Board’s prospective influence, given Riyadh’s regional standing, economic reach, and recent diplomatic engagements with Washington. Trump’s repeated public encouragement suggests a strong desire for the kingdom to assume a leading role.

For now, U.S. officials, in coordination with international partners, are preparing for the Board’s launch, setting the stage for a landmark period of multilateral involvement in Gaza’s post-conflict recovery — one that is closely tied to evolving U.S.–Saudi strategic cooperation.