Netanyahu Declines Invitation to Gaza Summit in Egypt, Cites Jewish Holiday

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not attend Monday’s Gaza peace summit in Egypt’s Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, citing the observance of the Jewish holiday Simhat Torah, his office announced.

In a statement released on Monday, Netanyahu’s office confirmed that he had been invited by U.S. President Donald Trump to participate in the high-level meeting but declined due to the timing.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu was invited by U.S. President Donald Trump to attend a conference in Egypt today,” the statement read. “The prime minister thanked President Trump for the invitation but said he would be unable to attend due to the timing coinciding with the start of the holiday of Simhat Torah,” which begins Monday evening and continues until sunset on Tuesday.

Earlier, Egypt’s presidency said the invitation to Netanyahu followed a joint call between President Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and the Israeli leader.

The Sharm el-Sheikh summit, co-hosted by Trump and al-Sisi, will bring together leaders from over 20 nations to discuss efforts to end the Gaza war and advance long-term peace and stability in the Middle East.

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