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Netanyahu rejects offer to attend ‘peace summit’ in Egypt because it clashes with Jewish holiday, PM’s office announces

Dozens of world leaders have flocked to Sharm El-Sheikh for the summit hosted by Donald Trump and Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

October 13, 2025 12:28
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Knesset as US President Donald Trump listens on (Photo: Getty Images)
1 min read

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected an invitation to attend a what has been dubbed a “peace summit” in Egypt attended by leaders from across the Muslim world and beyond in order, his office said, to avoid travelling over Simchat Torah.

Dozens of world leaders are gathering Sharm in El-Sheikh for the summit, hosted by US President Donald Trump and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, intended to strengthen peace and stability efforts in the Middle East.

Reports initially suggested Netanyahu would attend, but his office has now announced he will not make the trip because tonight marks the start of Simchat Torah, when observant Jews celebrate the conclusion – and restart – of the annual Torah-reading cycle.

Netanyahu’s office said in a statement: “The Prime Minister thanked President Trump for his invitation but stated that he would not be able to attend due to the proximity of the event to the start of the holiday.”

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