Netanyahu declines Trump’s invitation to Sharm el-Sheikh summit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has informed US President Donald Trump that he will not be able to attend the Middle East Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, convened to mark the Gaza ceasefire agreement, because of the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, which begins on the evening of October 13.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, cited by TASS, Netanyahu expressed gratitude to President Trump for the invitation but explained that his participation would not be possible due to the approaching holiday.

“Netanyahu was invited by US President Trump to participate in a conference to be held today (October 13) in Egypt. The Prime Minister thanked President Trump for the invitation but said he would not be able to participate because of the upcoming holiday,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the highly anticipated Middle East Peace Summit officially opened in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. The forum is being co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and President Trump, bringing together a wide range of world leaders and top officials to discuss long-term peace and stability in the region.

The summit has drawn participation from over 20 countries, including the president of Azerbaijan, the king of Jordan, the emir of Qatar, the prime minister of Kuwait, the king of Bahrain, and the head of Palestine. Also in attendance are the presidents of Türkiye, Indonesia, France, and Cyprus, along with the German chancellor. The heads of government of Britain, Italy, Spain, Greece, Armenia, Hungary, Pakistan, Canada, Norway, and Iraq, as well as the vice president of the United Arab Emirates, are also present.

The event has attracted major international and regional organisations as well. The UN Secretary-General, the head of the Arab League, the president of the European Council, Oman’s foreign minister, a representative of India’s Foreign Ministry, and Japan’s ambassador to Cairo are all attending.

The summit’s primary objective is to consolidate peace in the Gaza Strip, bolster regional stability, and open a new chapter in Middle Eastern security and cooperation.

This high-level gathering follows President Trump’s 20-point “Peace Plan,” announced on September 29, which outlines steps to end ongoing hostilities and establish a sustainable political settlement for Gaza.

International analysts regard the Sharm el-Sheikh summit as one of the most important diplomatic efforts of the year — one that could potentially mark a pivotal moment in the Middle East peace process.

By Tamilla Hasanova