Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley has canceled his trip to the Middle East as a result of the ongoing conflict between the Israeli government and Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip, O’Malley’s office announced Tuesday.

The eight-day trip slated to begin Friday — the governor’s annual economic development mission — is aimed at forging business relationships to bolster the local economy. Stops were planned in Israel, Jordan and Ramallah. Last year O’Malley went with local university leaders and other elected officials on a six-day trip to India.