US President Donald Trump has decided not to travel to Israel for the country’s 78th Independence Day celebrations due to the ceasefire agreement with Iran, as reported by Israeli media. Trump will not be attending the Israel Prize ceremony either, not even through a video speech, according to Ynet, an Israeli news outlet.
In a break from tradition, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had announced in December that Trump would be awarded the Israel Prize, the highest cultural honor in the country. This decision was made during a joint news conference in Florida, where Netanyahu stood alongside Trump.
The White House has not officially confirmed Trump’s absence from the event, but due to the ceasefire with Iran ending on April 21 and the ceremony scheduled for April 22, it is highly unlikely that Trump will be present. The Israel Prize ceremony will acknowledge Trump’s win in a video presentation, with the actual awarding postponed to a later ceremony upon his visit to Israel.
Singer Noa Kirl’s performance at the event, where she was set to sing in honor of the American President, has also been delayed. Additionally, Argentine President Javier Milay is expected to attend the Israeli Independence Day celebrations, with his arrival agreement predating the ceasefire with Iran.
