Netanyahu Skips Trump’s “New Middle East” Summit in Egypt Citing Jewish Holiday, as Gaza Ceasefire Heralds Hope for Peace
In a move that has drawn both understanding and quiet curiosity across diplomatic circles, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided not to attend the World Leaders Summit in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, on Monday, despite a personal invitation from US President Donald Trump.
The summit, a high-profile gathering of more than 20 global leaders, is being held under the framework of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which seeks to build a durable foundation for stability and reconciliation in the Middle East following two years of devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Netanyahu’s office confirmed on Sunday evening that the Israeli leader would not be joining the discussions due to the summit’s proximity to Simchat Torah, one of Judaism’s most joyous and spiritually significant holidays, which begins at sunset on Monday.
The festival marks the completion of the annual cycle of Torah readings and the beginning of a new one — a moment traditionally dedicated to celebration, prayer, and family togetherness across Israel.
The Prime Minister regrets not being able to attend the Sharm el-Sheik Summit, but the timing overlaps with Simchat Torah, a sacred moment for the Jewish people,” said an official statement from Netanyahu’s office.
While Netanyahu’s absence is officially attributed to religious observance, seasoned diplomats and analysts suggest that his decision also reflects a delicate balancing act between domestic religious sensitivities, political considerations, and international diplomacy.
A Moment of Faith and Politics
For Netanyahu, the decision carries deep symbolic and political weight. In Israel, faith and governance are deeply intertwined, and his choice to prioritize a national religious festival over a global diplomatic platform sends a powerful message to his domestic audience — reaffirming his image as a leader who remains anchored in Jewish tradition even amidst intense international negotiations.
Simchat Torah, celebrated immediately after Sukkot, is a time when synagogues across the country resonate with song, dance, and expressions of joy as worshippers celebrate the Torah — the cornerstone of Jewish life. In this context, attending a summit abroad could easily have been perceived at home as an act of insensitivity or detachment during a spiritually resonant period.
Furthermore, Netanyahu has been under immense political pressure domestically, both from his coalition partners and from the broader Israeli public, who are still grappling with the aftermath of the two-year Gaza war that claimed tens of thousands of lives and left deep scars on Israeli society.
Attending a high-profile summit at such a time — especially one hosted under Trump’s leadership — might have drawn criticism from religious conservatives or political opponents.
Trump’s Peace Summit: A Defining Diplomatic Stage
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump, who has positioned himself as the chief architect of the “New Middle East”, is pressing ahead with his ambitious peace blueprint.
The summit in Sharm el-Sheik comes just three days after a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect — a truce that has already led to the release of hostages and prisoners on both sides.
On Monday, Hamas released the last 20 surviving Israeli hostages under the deal, an emotional moment that unfolded across Israel as families gathered in Tel Aviv’s “Hostage Square” to celebrate the safe return of their loved ones.
The Israeli military confirmed that all surviving hostages had been received following their handover from Gaza by the Red Cross.
The emotional scenes — filled with tears, embraces, and chants of “Am Yisrael Chai” (The people of Israel live) — contrasted sharply with the haunting memories of two years of violence that began with Hamas’s October 7, 202,3, cross-border attack, which killed around 1,200 Israelis and led to 251 hostages being taken.
In response, Israel’s relentless airstrikes and ground assaults left Gaza in ruins, with more than 67,000 Palestinians killed, according to health authorities in the enclave. The devastation, displacement, and despair have created one of the most severe humanitarian crises in modern times.
Trump Declares “The Dawn of a New Middle East”
Speaking ahead of his arrival in Egypt, President Trump hailed the ceasefire and hostage exchanges as a “historic dawn of a new Middle East.”The skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a Holy Land that is finally at peace,” Trump was expected to tell the Knesset before flying to Sharm el-Sheik.
The first phase of the peace accord — involving the exchange of hostages and detainees — is being celebrated as a turning point.
Yet, both Israeli and Palestinian observers acknowledge that formidable challenges remain before any long-term resolution of the conflict can be achieved.
Reactions Across Israel and Gaza
The release of hostages in Israel was met with scenes of jubilation and relief. Six freed hostages were photographed smiling and conversing with Israeli soldiers as they were airlifted to safety.
One of them, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, scribbled on a whiteboard inside a helicopter: “I have returned — the people of Israel live.”
His words captured the spirit of survival and resilience that has defined Israeli society throughout the conflict.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, emotional scenes also unfolded as buses carrying Palestinian prisoners arrived home. Masked Hamas fighters gathered at Nasser Hospital, where stages had been set up to welcome the returnees.
I hope these images mark the end of this war,” said Emad Abu Joudat, a 57-year-old father of six from Gaza City. “We lost our homes, our friends, our families — we just want peace.”
Netanyahu’s Calculated Absence
While Netanyahu’s absence from the summit will be noted, his government will remain represented by senior diplomatic and defense officials.
Observers suggest that the Prime Minister’s decision does not reflect disengagement but rather a symbolic gesture rooted in faith, timing, and domestic priorities.
By choosing to stay in Israel during Simchat Torah, Netanyahu reaffirms his bond with the nation at a spiritually and emotionally pivotal moment.
His message is clear: while global diplomacy continues, the soul of Israel — and its leader — remains deeply tied to its people, its faith, and its homeland.
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