Netanyahu Banned Israel's President From Being At Trump's 'peace Council' Opening Session
- 25.01.2026, 8:35
A confusing situation has arisen.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has denied the White House's request to allow President Isaac Herzog to attend Donald Trump's "Peace Council" inauguration ceremony.
This was reported by Axios.
According to two sources, Netanyahu claimed that the US leader's invitation was meant for him, not Herzog. Thus, the prime minister vetoed the president's participation in the event, and Herzog never attended.
The U.S. in turn hoped that the Israeli official's presence at the event would show that the "Peace Council" and Trump's plans for Gaza had broad support from both Arab and Muslim leaders (who were at the event) and Israel. However, Israel's absence gave the impression that the country was not 100% in favor of the idea.
The White House is known to have extended invitations to 58 countries. The invitation stated that each country could send its head of state or government, or a representative authorized by them, to the event.
Netanyahu, however, did not go to the World Economic Forum in Davos because he has an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
Sources say the White House approached the Israeli Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday and Wednesday and suggested that Herzog represent Israel, attend with other leaders and sign the charter of the "Peace Council." However, Netanyahu rejected the request and effectively vetoed Herzog's participation.
Also, Axios' interlocutors gave further details of the talks with Netanyahu. Some phone calls were "tense and difficult," they said.
On Wednesday evening, January 21, the White House was still hoping to find a solution. Attempts to resolve the issue continued until hours before the foursome ceremony, but Netanyahu continued to insist on his refusal.
One source said the incident created tension between the prime minister's office and the president's office, as well as between Netanyahu and the White House.
The Trump administration ultimately decided not to go to war with Netanyahu. Instead, U.S. presidential advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Whitkoff opted to focus pressure on opening the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza.
In addition, billionaire Ilon Musk publicly mocked Trump's approach to resolving global conflicts. He questioned the effectiveness of the established mechanism.