Trump Declares Israel, US President Donald Trump delivered an emotional and historic address to Israel’s parliament, declaring that “the long and painful nightmare is finally over” following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. His remarks to the Knesset marked the first visit by an American president since 2008 and came just hours after the last 20 hostages held in Gaza were released. Trump told cheering lawmakers that the day represented “the moment that everything began to change, and change very much for the better” across the Middle East. The US leader said that both Israelis and Palestinians could now look forward to a new chapter of peace and stability after years of conflict. The ceasefire, brokered with American mediation, led to the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners and more than 1,700 others detained during Israel’s two-year military campaign in Gaza. The deal forms the first phase of Trump’s ambitious 20-point peace plan, with further negotiations still to come.
Trump Declares Israel Long and Painful Nightmare Finally Over in Historic Speech
As part of a whirlwind diplomatic tour, Trump also traveled to Egypt for a peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, where he met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and other global leaders. He said the second stage of peace talks was already underway and promised continued US involvement in the process. During his Knesset address, Trump described the agreement as the historic dawn of a new Middle East echoing the tone of his earlier peace accords during his first presidency. At last, not only for Israelis but also Palestinians, the long and painful nightmare is finally over, he said to a standing ovation as lawmakers chanted his name. Trump described the ceasefire as the most challenging breakthrough of them all, maybe the most challenging ever, and suggested his next diplomatic goal would be to help end the Russia-Ukraine war. He also revealed that he had personally urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the fighting, saying he warned that the ongoing military campaign in Gaza was becoming bad and heated. Trump Declares Israel
The event briefly turned tense when an opposition member held up a paper reading Recognize Palestine, prompting security officers to escort them from the chamber. Netanyahu introduced Trump with high praise, calling him the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House. The prime minister thanked him for his unremitting help in securing the release of the hostages taken during the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023. Trump returned the compliment, describing Netanyahu as a strong and determined leader. He’s not the easiest guy to deal with, Trump joked, but that’s what makes him great. Among those attending the Knesset session were US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Trump’s longtime advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who were praised for their roles in achieving the ceasefire. Kushner attended with his wife Ivanka Trump. As Trump left the chamber to chants of Trump the Peace President, he was told by the parliamentary speaker that no one is more deserving of next year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Trump Declares Israel
