From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Group photo snapped as Trump arrives at Board of Peace event; Sa’ar placed next to Qatari PM
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has arrived at the US Institute for the Board of Peace in Washington for the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace.
The event begins with a group photo with senior officials from over fifty countries.
American organizers notably placed Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar — who is representing Israel instead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — right next to Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani.
Making small talk as the cameras flash, Trump asks the foreign leaders if they’re enjoying the American music blasting in the background, which appears to be the playlist used at the US president’s political rallies. Many of them reply enthusiastically in the affirmative.
The U.S. organizers of the Board of Peace leaders family photo positioned the Israeli foreign minister and the prime minister of Qatar next to each other pic.twitter.com/bhoU4onoR0
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) February 19, 2026
The Times of Israel Community.