Trump’s Gaza Summit: Why Netanyahu’s Invitation Was Scrapped Following Erdoğan’s Stark Warning

Donald Trump’s plan to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a peace summit in Egypt faced a quick cancellation. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced he wouldn’t attend if Netanyahu was invited. This created a tense situation just before the summit, which was to be jointly led by Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.

The invitation followed a phone call between Trump and Sisi, assuring Netanyahu’s presence. However, just before Netanyahu was set to fly to Egypt, he spoke with Sisi to share his concerns. In a statement, Netanyahu thanked Trump for the invite but cited the timing of the summit relative to a holiday as the reason for his absence.

Notably, some members of Netanyahu’s far-right coalition threatened to resign if he attended the summit. Additionally, arrest warrants for war crimes against Netanyahu complicate matters further. While Egypt is not obligated to honor these warrants, his attendance at the summit would have sparked controversy, especially among Arab nations that have not established relations with Israel.

The situation highlighted the complexities of international diplomacy in the region.

Surveys show that public opinion on Israel remains divided in many Muslim-majority countries. In recent years, some nations have begun normalizing relations with Israel, but Erdoğan’s avoidance of a photo-op with Netanyahu showcases the local pressures leaders face. Erdoğan has condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling them genocide, complicating potential alliances.

As geopolitical dynamics shift, the upcoming summit serves as a reminder of the challenges in establishing lasting peace in the region. The tensions surrounding Netanyahu’s potential attendance reveal the delicate balance world leaders must navigate when dealing with deeply rooted conflicts.

To learn more about the Arab-Israeli relations and the impact of international diplomacy, check out recent reports from sources like the Council on Foreign Relations.

Source link