Netanyahu Skips Peace Conference Amid Ongoing Conflict
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has chosen not to attend the upcoming peace conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi are set to host over 20 world leaders in an effort to bring an end to the conflict in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s office cited “time constraints before the start of his vacation” as the reason for his absence. Notably, Shemini Atzeret is scheduled from October 13th to 15th, followed by Simchat Torah on October 15th.
Yair Golan, leader of Israel’s left-leaning Democratic Party, expressed strong disapproval of Netanyahu’s decision. He stated, “I am appalled by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to skip this historic event orchestrated by President Trump. Let me be clear: this refusal is purely driven by narrow political interests.”
Golan emphasized that after two years of challenging warfare, Israel cannot afford to have its leaders guided by personal agendas.
The gathering at the Red Sea resort aims to include leaders from Turkey, Jordan, Britain, Germany, France, and Italy, along with high-ranking representatives from the United Nations and the European Union. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is also expected to join as regional powers seek stability in post-war Gaza.
This summit aligns with a renewed effort by the Trump administration to expand the Abraham Accords once the Gaza situation is stabilized. During Trump’s initial term, four countries normalized relations with Israel, and officials remain hopeful that more Arab and Muslim-majority nations will follow.
In a related development, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is reportedly visiting Israel, stirring speculation about a possible normalization agreement. However, Indonesian Minister Sugi Ono has denied any such plans for the visit.
Subianto recently spoke at the UN General Assembly, surprising many with his positive remarks about Israel, concluding his speech with “shalom.” He stated, “We must recognize, respect, and guarantee Israel’s safety and security. Only then can we have true peace.”
