Arabs and Muslims place a risky bet on Trump’s Board of Peace

US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace faces its first litmus test with the opening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt in the coming days.

Who controls the crossing, Gaza’s only link to the world beyond Israel, will tell much of how the Board envisions developments in post-war Gaza.

Even though few doubt that Israel will decide who can enter and exit and what goods it will allow in, the proof will be in Rafah’s pudding.

Ali Shaath, the head of the Palestinian committee designated by the Board to run post-war Gaza’s day-to-day affairs, announced Rafah’s opening as the Board’s first tangible success in implementing the second phase of Mr. Trump’s ceasefire plan.

The likelihood that Israel will be the crossing’s ultimate arbiter will cement the conviction among Palestinians, and many in the international community, that implementing the ceasefire plan will be on Israel’s terms rather than equitably consider Israeli and Palestinian concerns.

Left with no choice, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu joined the Board just before world leaders signed its charter at this week’s World Economic Forum in Davos.

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Underlying all of this is question whether imposing the will of one side to a conflict can produce stability and security. Please weigh into the discussion.