Donald Trump spoke of a historic day and a new dawn for the Middle East, marked by the silencing of weapons and the end of terrorism, during his address to the Israeli Parliament. The American president, who was warmly received with applause, began his Knesset speech focusing on the release of hostages and concluded by expressing confidence in the establishment of hope and happiness. “I love Israel, I will always be with you” were the final words of the US president in a historic speech characterized by a warm atmosphere, applause, and the consolidation of high-level US-Israel cooperation. Earlier, during his speech, Netanyahu paid tribute to Trump, thanked him, committed to peace, and expressed his desire to award the “Israel Prize” to the US president. Meanwhile, an incident occurred involving left-wing Knesset members, which led to a brief pause in the speech. After the removal of the Israeli Parliament members by security teams, Trump continued his address.
“Beautiful place, really beautiful place,” Trump said at the beginning of his speech. “We gather on a day of profound joy and high expectations,” he added meaningfully, continuing: “After two painful years in darkness and captivity, 20 brave hostages are returning to the embrace of their families. Another 28 precious, beloved ones are finally returning home to rest on this holy ground forever.” Trump emphasized that “weapons are stopping their sound,” adding that the region is now “at peace” and hopefully will remain so “forever.”
Key points from Trump’s Knesset speech
The American president continued his speech by thanking his special envoy Steve Witkoff, his advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner – who, according to Trump, “loves Israel” – as well as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“We had some incredibly good people working on this,” Trump said.
Returning to the topic of Israel, Trump said that “my Bibi called me many times” asking for weapons – “so many times that Israel became strong and powerful… this led to peace.”
“This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East,” Trump emphasized.
He expressed his thanks to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he called “a man of exceptional courage.”
Some from the crowd shouted “Bibi,” the prime minister’s nickname.
Trump also thanked the Arab countries that helped in the negotiations. It’s an “incredible success” that they cooperated, he emphasized.
Now “it will be Israel’s golden age,” Trump added, as well as the “golden age” for the entire region.
“Beautiful place, really beautiful place,” he underlined. “We gather on a day of profound joy and elevated hope,” he continued.
“After two painful years in darkness and captivity, 20 brave hostages are returning to the bright embrace of their families. Another 28 precious beloved ones are finally returning home to rest on this holy ground forever,” he noted.
“Weapons are silent,” Trump emphasized, adding that the region is now “at peace” and hopefully will remain so “forever.”
“Exciting moment for the entire Middle East”
Trump recalled the horrific scenes of October 7th, describing the attack as “one of the most diabolical massacres” of Jews since the Holocaust.
He renewed US support for Israel, saying: “Know that America accompanies you in these two eternal oaths: to never forget and to never happen again.”
The US president stated that the “long and painful nightmare” has now ended for both the Israeli people and the Palestinians.
“This is a very exciting moment for Israel and for the entire Middle East,” he said.
“Throughout the Middle East, the forces of chaos, terror, and destruction that have plagued the region for decades are now weakened, isolated, and completely defeated.”
“Thanks to us, all enemies of civilization are retreating.”
Trump’s joke to Netanyahu
“You can be a little nicer because you’re no longer at war,” Trump said jokingly, addressing Netanyahu.
“Only by seizing the opportunities of this moment can we achieve our goal of ensuring that the horrors of recent years never happen again,” he added.
With his speech exceeding 35 minutes, Trump told the Knesset: “I’ve been late enough.”
“You delayed me between the opposition leaders and Bibi’s brilliant but very long speech,” he said.
“I thought I’d run here, give a speech, and then go to Egypt,” Trump added.
What he said about the Egypt Summit
After joking about his delay to the summit in Egypt, Trump stated he would meet with representatives of several countries there.
The summit, to be held in Sharm El Sheikh, will focus on a long-term peace agreement between Israel and Hamas. About 20 leaders from around the world will attend, including Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
“Together we have shown that peace is not just a hope we can dream of, but a reality we can build day by day,” Trump said.
The US president said he hopes more countries in the region will sign the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Muslim states.
“The world loves Israel again,” Trump told Netanyahu.
Before closing his speech, Trump asked Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel’s prime minister was charged in 2019 with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, charges he denies, calling them “absolutely absurd.” Addressing the Knesset speaker and Herzog, Trump said: “These two are good people,” and then, turning his gaze to Netanyahu, added: “I have an idea… Why don’t you pardon him?”
Trump continued saying “this wasn’t in the speech,” but said he “happens to like the gentlemen here.” “It just seems to make sense,” he added. “Enough with the controversies… actually, I don’t think it’s very controversial,” Trump emphasized. Addressing Netanyahu, he noted: “You are a very popular person, you know why? Because you know how to win.”
In his final remarks, Trump said: “We will have hope, harmony, opportunities, and happiness here, in the spiritual and geographical center of the entire world.
That’s you, Israel. America and all Middle Eastern countries will soon be safer, stronger, greater, and more prosperous than ever.
It was truly a great honor for me, as a president is rarely invited to do something like this. I love Israel and will always be with you.”
Knesset members rushed to the exit to have the opportunity to approach the US president and shake his hand as he left the building.
Trump at Knesset: Who interrupted his speech
A minor incident occurred during American President Donald Trump’s speech at the Knesset when a member raised a paper supporting Palestinians. “Recognize Palestine” read the paper. Subsequently, a second lawmaker also protested.
Donald Trump interrupted his speech due to the protest, and lawmakers Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif were expelled from the chamber.
“Sorry about that, Mr. President,” said the Knesset speaker, with Donald Trump responding humorously: “That was effective,” prompting another round of applause from Israeli lawmakers and “Trump” chants from the audience.
Specifically, Ofer Cassif, a 60-year-old politician, was removed by security after noise and shouting toward Trump.
The 50-year-old Ayman Odeh, another Knesset member from the same political group of the Hadash alliance, was also removed from the chamber.
“That was very effective,” the US president then said, while Knesset members chanted his name.
Every member of the Trump administration watching in the Knesset was mentioned by name earlier by the parliament speaker, with warm applause. The US president, who was introduced as “the best friend Israel ever had in the White House,” sat in the front section of the Knesset next to the speaker and Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Earlier, Donald Trump stood up and applauded Benjamin Netanyahu when the parliament speaker said that the prime minister and his wife Sarah were also in the Knesset. He did the same when the parliament speaker mentioned Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka received the same acclaim. Also in the Knesset, according to Israeli media, were US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.
Knesset Speaker: “Trump Israel’s greatest friend – Reference to Cyrus the Great”
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana began the speeches in the Knesset plenum, welcoming attendees and referring to Trump as the greatest friend in Israel’s history.
Trump recognized that “America First” doesn’t mean “America Alone,” while discussing the actions the president took to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana began the speeches, saying Trump is not just “another American president,” but a “giant of Jewish history – one for whom we must look back two and a half millennia into the mists of time to find a parallel, in Cyrus the Great.”
Ohana was referring to the founder of the ancient Persian Achaemenid Empire, who, according to both historical documents and the Bible, allowed Jews to return to Israel and rebuild the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the sixth century BCE.
“The world needs more Trumps”
“What the world needs now is not appeasers who feed the crocodile hoping to be eaten last, as we saw at the UN General Assembly, but what the world needs now is more leaders who are brave, decisive, strong, and bold. The world needs more Trumps!” Ohana emphasized, as reported by the Jerusalem Post. He also revealed that Israel is nominating Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. As he said, he and US House Speaker Mike Johnson “will rally parliament speakers from around the world to submit your nomination” for 2026.
Netanyahu: Thank you for recognizing our rights in Judea, for recognizing Israel’s sovereignty in the Golan Heights
Netanyahu took the floor, welcoming Trump to Jerusalem, the “eternal capital” of Israel. “We know your determination” for the return of hostages, “it was a moment of joy when we were informed an hour ago that all hostages had returned.” “Thank you for recognizing Israel’s sovereignty in the Golan Heights,” “thank you for recognizing our rights in Judea, the ancestral lands of the Jews. Thank you warmly for bringing back the Abraham Accords, for withdrawing from the Iran Nuclear Agreement and for supporting Operation Rising Lion and showing your determination through Operation Midnight Hammer, the most fitting name for an operation, because you indeed crushed them shortly after midnight,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu: I am committed to peace
He repeated that Trump is “Israel’s greatest friend,” saying no other American president came close to what Trump offered Israel. Netanyahu emphasized his commitment to peace that achieves all of Israel’s goals and opens the way for expanding the Abraham Accords. “Together we will achieve this peace,” he said, adding “we did it, we’ll do it again.”
The Israeli prime minister then referred to Hamas’s October 7th attack. “Our soldiers,” he said, “fought like lions.” The price of victories was heavy, 2,000 dead fighters. To the families of fallen soldiers, he mentioned that Israel bows before the “heroes.” “Because of these heroes, our nation will survive, prosper, and have peace.” The Israeli prime minister praised as “having the spirit of David and the Maccabees” Ari Spitz, an Israeli soldier present in the Knesset who lost three limbs from a bomb explosion.
“We are a nation of lions, Jews have risen from their ashes again and again,” Netanyahu said, answering the question Trump once asked about how they endure. “Our enemies now understand how determined we are, now they understand that October 7th was an irreparable mistake,” he added, repeating the message that peace is achieved “through strength.” “Today, with Trump’s precious, unwavering help and the incredible strength of Israel’s soldiers, we fulfill our promise for the return of hostages.”
The Israeli prime minister noted that more and more countries succumbed to “anti-Semitism,” pressuring Israel to retreat without accepting Gaza’s demilitarization and Hamas’s disarmament, mentioning that such a thing would bring back threats like Nasrallah, Assad, Sinwar, etc. At that point of maximum pressure, Donald Trump was elected US president and “overnight everything changed.” “Two months ago you supported my decision to send the IDF to Hamas’s last strongholds, we were right.” He noted that two weeks ago Trump achieved something unexpected: “You brought the entire Arab world, the entire world to your side.” The Israeli prime minister also thanked Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as well as Israel’s negotiating team. “Your actions eliminated Soleimani, something that changed world balances,” he said, addressing Donald Trump, adding: “You brought America back to the forefront.” “Peace within Israel and peace outside Israel.” “I look forward to continuing to walk with you on the path we have charted,” “Abraham’s children will work together to build a better future, where there will be hope again,” Netanyahu also said, mentioning that the Abraham Accords can extend beyond the Arab Gulf. “Israel will always look to its own defense, but will also remain full of hope,” Netanyahu noted, mentioning that Israel is ready to extend a hand of friendship to anyone who wishes it. “You are the first non-Israeli to receive the Israel Prize, which is the highest honor,” Netanyahu concluded, referring to “our greatest friend” Trump.
“God bless you and your family,” the Israeli prime minister said.
Yair Lapid: Eternally grateful to Trump, huge mistake you didn’t get Nobel
Opposition leader Yair Lapid spoke after Netanyahu, referring to the Talmud saying “whoever destroys a life destroys the entire world and whoever saves a life saves the world.” “Mr. President, you saved the lives of our hostages, you saved soldiers who are no longer on battlefields. You have saved more than lives and every life is a world.” He emphasized that not getting the Nobel this year was a “huge mistake,” but said the Committee will have no other choice next year. “We will be eternally grateful, but now we must prove we are worthy of what has been achieved. Israel is the strongest country in the Middle East because we are the only democracy in the Middle East, we believe in the principles inscribed in our Declaration of Independence, providing all rights for all religions for every citizen of Israel. Our neighbors must understand that we are not going anywhere. The Middle East is our home, our history began with the Bible,” Lapid said.
“When others spoke of difficulties, you created an opportunity, you will be the one to bring the next wave of peace.” He spoke of a “regional alliance,” with the region’s peoples needing to ask what is better: those who invested in peace or war? Those who invested in education, technology, etc. or those who invested in hatred?” Lapid emphasized, mentioning that those protesting against Israel in the West were “deceived” by various centers. “There was no genocide, no famine, there was a country fighting under horrible conditions against a fanatical terrorist organization that used human shields.” “They played with your minds, that supporting Islamic terrorism is good.”
Red hats with “Trump the peace president” slogan in Knesset
Before Donald Trump’s speech to the Knesset plenum, Israeli parliament staff distributed red hats to attendees, made to resemble those of the “Make America Great Again” campaign. The hats, distributed within the Knesset building, bear the phrase “Trump the peace president” instead of Trump’s now-famous campaign slogan.
