Berlin/Jerusalem - The US President couldn't have sent a stronger signal of support for Israel to the world. Donald Trump came to the heart of the Middle East's only democracy, to the Israeli parliament (Knesset), to celebrate his hostage deal and to proclaim an era of peace throughout the region.
The speech began spiritually:"We are gathered here to give thanks to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Trump initially read strictly from the teleprompter. Then he deviated from the script and delivered a humorous victory speech—with political messages that offer a deep insight into Trump's mind.
Netanyahu?"Not the easiest person..."
First, he praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, from whom he had extracted painful compromises in negotiations with Palestinian terrorists. To help the criticized leader, Trump said,"He's not the easiest person to argue with, but that's exactly what makes him so great."
Towards the end of the speech, Trump became even more explicit: He called on Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog to pardon Netanyahu – and thus stop the ongoing trials (including for corruption)."He's one of the best wartime leaders. Cigars and champagne? Who cares?" Trump asked, alluding to Netanyahu's accusations of accepting expensive gifts. Then the US president declared,"Well, enough controversy for today," and closed the matter.
Trump celebrates hostage release
Regarding the release of the Israeli hostages, he said:"It feels so good to say that!" The agreement in Gaza was an "incredible triumph for Israel and the world," Trump said, and also thanked Arab and Muslim states that had put pressure on Hamas.
Shortly before his speech, all 20 living hostages were released from Hamas's clutches—a result of Trump's deal. The return of the abducted Israelis sparked celebrations throughout the country.
Trump also recalled October 7, 2023, when Palestinian terrorists invaded Israel, murdered 1,200 people, kidnapped 250 others, and thus began the Gaza War.
“You won!”
Trump generously praised his special envoy Steve Witkoff, son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who will go down in history as the “greatest Secretary of State of all time.”
Trump then formulated his explanation for peace, which differs significantly from the political approach in European capitals:"Israel became strong and powerful, and that is precisely what ultimately led to peace." Trump explicitly thanked and praised the world's most criticized military, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
In other words: It wasn't just diplomacy that brought Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Iranian regime to give in, but Israel's military might, deployed in response to its enemies' attacks. In keeping with Trump's credo:"Peace through strength."
Trump's message to Israel: "You have won!" Now is the time to transform military victories into lasting peace.
Incident during Trump's speech
From the very first second, Trump's appearance was met with enthusiastic applause. Even the introduction of his delegation received several standing ovations.
In the Knesset, apart from one brief incident, there was a rare sense of unity: where politicians from right-wing, left-wing, Jewish, and Arab parties usually engage in lively debate, no whistles or heckles were heard. Instead, the members chanted:"Trump, Trump, Trump!"
Then a disruptive action: Two Israeli MPs, a Jewish leftist and an Arab politician, reportedly held up signs reading"Recognize Palestine" and were removed from the plenary. Such actions are also prohibited in the Bundestag.
Before Donald Trump's speech, Parliament Speaker Amir Ohana and Netanyahu spoke. Both thanked Trump for his support of Israel in the war against Hamas terrorists and the Iranian mullah regime, as well as for the peace that Trump made possible with the Gaza deal.
In a particularly emotional moment, Netanyahu thanked an American-Israeli soldier who was severely wounded by Palestinian terrorists, losing both legs and an arm. Trump then also stood up and applauded: The military defeat of Hamas is thanks to the efforts of soldiers like him. Hamas, once a powerful terrorist organization with tens of thousands of fighters, has shrunk to a leaderless guerrilla group—almost all of its leaders have been eliminated, and a large portion of its fighters have been killed or wounded.
