The Israeli government lauded President Donald Trump for his role in ending the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza during his visit to the Jewish state to mark the release of the last living hostages.
Trump’s trip to the Middle East comes less than a week after he announced the first phase of a peace deal between Israel and Hamas.
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ALL LIVING ISRAELI HOSTAGES OFFICIALLY FREED FROM HAMAS CAPTIVITY
Speaking before the Knesset on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Trump as the “greatest friend the state of Israel has ever had in the White House.”
He also thanked the president for his proposal to secure peace in the region.
“You are committed to this peace. I am committed to this peace,” Netanyahu told Trump. “Together, Mr. President, we will achieve this peace.”
To show his appreciation for Trump’s peacemaking efforts, the prime minister gifted a golden dove as a symbol of peace.
While Trump was not the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize last week, Israeli leaders said they would lobby governments for the prestigious award next year.
“There is no one more deserving than you, President Trump, no one!” Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana said, calling Trump the “president of peace.”
“You saved countless lives that would have been lost without your leadership,” he added. “You have proven that true peace is achieved through strength. Only those who can use strength in the present can prevent using it in the future.”
Opposition leader Yair Lapid also thanked Trump in his speech before the Jewish legislature.
“When you were elected, you said you will be the president of peace. You have kept your word,” Lapid said. He also supports calls to nominate Trump for the next Nobel Peace Prize.
Israeli citizens were joyous when they heard the remaining 20 living hostages were released by Hamas on Monday, just over two years after they were abducted from southern Israel.
KNESSET STAFF DISTRIBUTE ‘MAGA-STYLE’ BASEBALL CAPS AHEAD OF TRUMP SPEECH
During his visit to Israel, Trump also met with the families of the Israeli hostages. From there, he will travel to Egypt, where he will headline a peace summit to mark the end of the war in Gaza. A peace deal is expected to be signed, as the first stage of the ceasefire is already underway.
Neither Israel nor Hamas is expected to attend the Egyptian peace summit, although several European leaders, in addition to Trump, will be present for the signing of the deal.