Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declined an invitation to attend the Gaza summit scheduled to hold in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, citing a clash with the Jewish holiday, Simhat Torah.
In a statement released by his office on Monday, Netanyahu explained that although he appreciated the invitation extended to him by United States President Donald Trump, he would not be able to participate in the meeting due to the timing of the religious observance.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu was invited by US President Donald Trump to attend a conference in Egypt today. 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 Simhat Torah holiday,” the statement read.
According to reports, the high-level summit, convened by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, aims to foster discussions on efforts to end hostilities in Gaza and push forward with humanitarian assistance to the enclave.
World leaders and representatives from several countries are expected to attend the meeting, including delegates from the United States, European Union, and Arab League. However, Netanyahu’s absence may impact discussions concerning Israel’s position on the ongoing Gaza conflict and ceasefire proposals.
The Simhat Torah holiday, which marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, is a significant celebration in the Jewish calendar, observed from Monday evening through Tuesday sunset. Netanyahu’s decision to prioritize the holiday underscores the delicate balance between national religious observances and ongoing diplomatic engagements in the Middle East.