Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited by US President Trump to attend a world leaders summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday but he will not join it because it was too close to the start of a Jewish holiday, Netanyahu's office said.
Over 20 world leaders will weigh next steps under Trump's 20-point plan aimed at securing a lasting peace after two years of an Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, where a ceasefire came into effect on Friday. But the summit was being held too close to the start of Simchat Torah that starts on Monday at sunset.
An Egyptian presidential spokesperson earlier said he would attend.
Later a Turkish government official said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan launched a diplomatic initiative to prevent Netanyahu from attending the summit.
The official, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations, said Netanyahu ultimately decided not to participate after Türkiye’s effort gained support from several other nations.
The Turkish official declined to confirm media reports claiming Erdogan’s plane circled above the Red Sea as the president threatened to boycott the meeting, and that it only landed once it was clear Netanyahu would not be present.
