U.S. President Donald Trump will not travel to Israel for Yom Ha’atzmaut and will not take part in the Israel Prize ceremony—not even via a video address, Ynet reported on Tuesday.

In February 2025, Israel’s Education Minister Yoav Kish informed President Trump that Israel had decided to award him the prestigious Israel Prize and formally invited him to attend the Israel Prize ceremony on Yom Ha’atzmaut, which falls out this year on Tuesday, April 21, and Wednesday, April 22.

Israeli officials have decided that the prize will be awarded to Trump at a later date, when he eventually visits the country.

The White House has not officially announced that Trump is not planning an imminent trip to Israel. However, Israeli officials have assessed that due to the timing of the ceasefire timeline with Iran, which falls out on April 21, the chances of his arrival are close to zero.

During the Israel Prize ceremony, Trump’s award will be mentioned, but the actual presentation of the award will be postponed to a separate event in his honor during a future visit.

It was also reported that the Israel Prize ceremony will be pre-recorded on Sunday in case the war with Iran resumes and it becomes impossible to hold the event with a live audience or broadcast it in real time.

Argentine President Javier Milei is scheduled to arrive in Israel on April 18 and has been selected to light a ceremonial torch at the Yom Ha’atzmaut ceremony. Milei is visiting to inaugurate Argentina’s embassy in Jerusalem, a highlight of Israel’s 78th Yom Ha’atzmaut events.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)