Netanyahu Rejects Invitation to Russian Olympics

He never had any plans to attend, office says

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has turned down a formal invitation to attend the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia in February, the Hebrew Ma'ariv daily reported Monday morning.

Sources in the Prime Minister's office, to which the invitation was sent, said a trip to the games was never considered, the report stated.

U.S. President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and German President Joachim Gauck are among the Western leaders who have announced they will not be attending due to Russia's recent crackdown on gay rights.