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Several ministers in Israel's security cabinet blamed Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, for the composition of the Executive Board for the Board of Peace, which includes Turkish and Qatari representation that Israel firmly opposes, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday the committee established by the White House to help advance the next phases of the Gaza ceasefire was "not coordinated with Israel and contrary to its policy," marking a rare public admonishment of U.S. efforts.
According to remarks made during a closed discussion Sunday, participants alleged Kushner was "taking revenge" on Israel for its refusal to reopen the Rafah Crossing, and that his ties in the region were shaping the plan's structure, The Jerusalem Post reported.
Ministers said Kushner "derailed" Israel's 2020 sovereignty declaration and continues to pose obstacles because of close political and economic links with Arab leaders. In a past cabinet session, one participant claimed Kushner has "fantasies about world peace" that do not always align with Israeli interests.
Israeli officials stressed they work routinely and effectively with the American administration. The cabinet said the Prime Minister's Office directive for Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to contact U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was not a bid to shift responsibility but an effort to manage the crisis methodically.
Officials described it as lowering the level of handling to foreign ministers rather than escalating matters between Netanyahu and Trump.
The cabinet agreed to oppose Turkish or Qatari representation in any body that would manage Gaza and to continue updates over the next two weeks.
Israeli officials said the dispute is less about the existence of a Palestinian civilian administration in Gaza and more about who accompanies it, with particular concern over Türkiye's involvement.
"The inclusion of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as a central figure would cross a red line," they said, noting "Ankara is not viewed in Tel Aviv as neutral or legitimate for Gaza's management because of political and ideological ties with Hamas," according to The Jerusalem Post.
"We've said it clearly to Trump and those around him," senior minister Miri Regev said in an interview Sunday with Army Radio, adding Israel was working to change the makeup of the executive committee.
"The countries that breathed life into Hamas cannot be the ones to replace it," Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich wrote on X Saturday.
"The prime minister is required to stand firm on this even if it demands managing a dispute with our great ally and President Trump's envoys," he added.
The White House on Friday announced the Executive Board to support governance and services will include Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, Kushner, former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem al-Hashimy, veteran Qatari diplomat Ali al-Thawadi, Egypt's intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, former U.N. envoy Nickolay Mladenov, Cypriot-Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay and Dutch politician Sigrid Kaag.
The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza will be led by Dr. Ali Sha'ath, a former Palestinian deputy minister. The White House described Sha'ath as "a widely respected technocratic leader who will oversee the restoration of public services, rebuild civil institutions, and stabilize daily life in Gaza."
Trump has also invited Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to join the Board of Peace as founding members.
"With President Trump comes peace. Another letter has arrived. Hungary's efforts for peace are being recognised," Orban posted on X Sunday.
Pakistani Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi confirmed Sunday the prime minister received the invitation, adding "Pakistan remains committed to supporting international efforts for peace and security in Gaza, leading to a lasting solution to the Palestine issue, in line with United Nations resolutions."
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