Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not attend the international peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, later today, his office announced on Monday. The decision comes despite an official invitation from the Egyptian presidency for Netanyahu to participate alongside more than 20 global leaders gathered to discuss long-term stability in the Middle East.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu will be unable to join the discussions because of the Jewish festival of Sukkot, one of Judaism’s most significant holidays. The observance, which celebrates divine protection and the agricultural heritage of the Jewish people, restricts the prime minister’s travel and public engagements during its duration.
“The Prime Minister thanked President Trump for his efforts to expand the circle of peace peace through strength,” the statement read, emphasizing Israel’s continued support for diplomatic efforts aimed at regional reconciliation despite Netanyahu’s absence.
The Sharm el-Sheikh summit, hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, is expected to bring together about 20 heads of state, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, representatives from the European Union, and several Arab nations. The meeting seeks to build on the current ceasefire in Gaza and to formulate a roadmap toward a permanent peace accord between Israel and Palestinian authorities.
The gathering follows weeks of fragile calm after months of intense conflict in Gaza that left thousands displaced and infrastructure devastated. Although hostilities have subsided, world leaders acknowledge that a durable political settlement remains elusive.
Netanyahu’s absence, while justified on religious grounds, has prompted speculation among diplomats and analysts about Israel’s level of engagement in the peace-building process. Some observers believe that the prime minister’s decision reflects both religious respect and political caution, as internal debates continue in Israel over the terms of any future Gaza agreement.
However, Israeli officials have maintained that Netanyahu’s government remains committed to security cooperation with Egypt and to broader U.S.-backed efforts for regional peace. The prime minister reportedly held advance discussions with international mediators to ensure that Israel’s perspectives will still be represented during the summit.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has re-emerged as an active voice in Middle East diplomacy, is expected to address the summit, calling for “peace through strength” and the expansion of normalization agreements under the Abraham Accords framework. Trump’s efforts have been welcomed by several regional governments seeking to balance reconstruction, security, and economic recovery following years of turmoil.
Diplomatic sources in Cairo indicated that Trump and other leaders are likely to stress the importance of rebuilding Gaza while ensuring that extremist groups do not regain control. The summit’s agenda also includes proposals for humanitarian relief, border monitoring, and economic cooperation between Israel, Egypt, and the Palestinian territories.
Although Netanyahu’s seat will remain empty in Sharm el-Sheikh, Israel’s stance on maintaining a strong yet pragmatic security posture is expected to dominate discussions. Analysts suggest that the prime minister’s statement praising Trump’s peace initiatives hints at Israel’s preference for bilateral or U.S.-mediated frameworks rather than large multilateral negotiations.
As global leaders convene under Egypt’s initiative, the world watches closely to see whether this summit can move beyond ceasefire maintenance and lay the foundation for a lasting peace. For now, Netanyahu’s message is clear: Israel supports peace, but not at the expense of its faith, security, or sovereignty.