Following earlier reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would travel to Sharm El-Sheikh to take part in today’s peace summit with world leaders, the Prime Minister’s Office has announced that he will not attend due to the Shemini Atzeres–Simchas Torah holiday beginning tonight.

Israeli leaders traditionally refrain from international travel on Shabbos or Jewish holidays, except in cases of national urgency.

Netanyahu expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for the invitation and for his “efforts to expand the circle of peace — peace through strength,” according to the PMO.

Israel’s Kan News reports that the decision was linked to possible political friction within Netanyahu’s coalition if he were to travel during a Yom Tov, though the United Torah Judaism party clarified that it had issued no threats over the matter.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)