Netanyahu will not attend Trump’s G7 talks with Middle East leaders

Israeli officials have voiced strong reservations about the reported framework.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not participate in President Donald Trump’s meetings with Middle Eastern leaders at the G7 summit in France, where discussions are expected to focus on the emerging Iran agreement and efforts to reopen and de-mine the Strait of Hormuz.

According to a senior U.S. official, Trump is scheduled to meet with the leaders of Egypt, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Trump is also expected to have dinner with Macron at Versailles on Wednesday.

The official confirmed that Netanyahu will not take part in the talks.

The meetings are expected to address final details of the proposed Iran agreement, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and broader regional diplomacy. Trump is also expected to co-chair peace summits in Egypt aimed at winding down the conflict.

Israeli officials have voiced strong concerns over the reported framework, which Netanyahu has reportedly described as falling short of Israel’s basic security requirements.

Channel 12 reported that Trump spoke with Netanyahu by telephone on Thursday to discuss the agreement.

According to an American official, Trump told Netanyahu: “This is the deal. It’s an excellent deal, and it’s to end this war.”

The same official added: “Bibi didn’t say much in the call. Evidently, he understood that there’s going to be a deal, and that he can’t stop it.”

Senior Israeli officials quoted by Channel 12 argued that the framework appears to accept Tehran’s “main conditions” and could “endanger Israel’s security interests.”

One official said, “The Iranians are not agreeing to this for nothing,” expressing concern that Iran would receive substantial benefits before addressing key issues.