Trump spoke as the twenty remaining living Israeli hostages returned to their families in emotional scenes. Trump ended to an extended standing ovation, and a trumpet salute, accompanied by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana. Netanyahu — a member of the legislative body — took his seat in the audience, with Herzog and Ohana accompanying Trump to the podium. Several red “Make America Great Again” hats were visible in the gallery, among spectators.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Trump effusively for his support for Israel over the years — a “partial list” that included his role in the hostage deal; for recognizing Israeli rights in Judea and Samaria, for the Abraham Accords, and for opposing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and attacking Iran’s nuclear sites. Netanyahu added: “Donald Trump is the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House.”
Netanyahu praised Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, calling it “a proposal that ends the war by achieving all our objectives, a proposal that opens the door to an expansion of peace in our region, and beyond our region.” Ohana called Trump “a giant of Jewish history,” praising him for making sure “America First” was not “America alone.” Netanyahu thanked Trump for his support, saying he had nominated the president for the Israel Prize, which has never been given to a non-Israeli. (Read More)
