Netanyahu Cancels Trip to Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit Citing Jewish Holiday

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has canceled plans to attend the “Peace Summit” in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday, citing the Simchat Torah holiday, his office said, after Cairo had earlier confirmed his participation alongside U.S. President Donald Trump and dozens of world leaders.

Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister had been invited by President Trump to join the high-level meeting aimed at consolidating efforts to end the war in Gaza. However, he declined “due to the timing’s proximity to the beginning of (a Jewish) holiday.”

“The Prime Minister thanked President Trump for his invitation and for his efforts to expand the circle of peace; peace through strength,” the statement added.

According to Axios, Netanyahu’s invitation was arranged during the premier’s ride with Trump from Ben Gurion Airport to the Knesset on Monday morning. During the drive, Trump suggested that Netanyahu attend, and the Israeli leader agreed. Trump later phoned Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and asked him to extend a formal invitation, which Sisi did shortly afterward, the report said.

Egypt’s presidential palace earlier confirmed Netanyahu’s attendance, saying both he and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas were expected to take part “to solidify the agreement to end the war in Gaza and reaffirm their commitment to it.”

Israel's Kan public broadcaster later reported that Netanyahu’s cancellation was linked not only to the religious holiday but also to concerns about potential backlash within his governing coalition if he were to travel during a Jewish festival. However, ultra-Orthodox lawmakers were said to have raised no formal objections.

Israeli leaders traditionally avoid official travel during the Sabbath and religious holidays, except under exceptional circumstances.

During remarks to the Knesset ahead of Trump’s address, Netanyahu praised the U.S. president for his global influence, saying he “has never seen anyone move the world so quickly, so decisively, so resolutely.”

“With Israel’s military pressure and Trump’s global pressure,” he said, “we’ve achieved this historic moment.”

Netanyahu credited Trump’s decision to bomb Iran’s Fordo nuclear site and to kill IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani in 2020 as actions that “changed the balance of power in the world.”

“You brought America back again to the driver’s seat,” Netanyahu told him. “The last two years have been a time of war. The coming two years will hopefully be a time of peace; peace inside Israel and peace outside Israel.”

Looking ahead, Netanyahu said he hoped to continue advancing normalization with Arab and Muslim nations, building on the Abraham Accords.

“Abraham’s children will work together to build a better future, a future that will unite civilization against barbarism, light against darkness, and hope against despair,” he said. “This will happen a lot faster than people think.”

“As prime minister of Israel, I extend my hand to all those who seek peace with us. No one wants peace more than the people of Israel. It is time to expand the circle of peace.”

“When others were weak, you were strong. When others were fearful, you were bold. When others abandoned us, you stood by our side,” Netanyahu concluded in a direct address to Trump.