U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Israel on Monday for a whirlwind visit scheduled to last less than four hours, immediately following the return of live Israeli hostages from captivity in Gaza. Before landing, the presidential plane was filmed passing over Tel Aviv's Hostages Square.
Trump begins his speech by offering thanks to God. "Today the skies are calm, the guns are silent," he says, "in a region that will live in peace for all eternity."
Trump's speech in the Knesset
"This is not just the end of war, this is the end of the era of terror and death and the beginning of the era of faith and God. This is the beginning of everlasting harmony for Israel and all the nations of what will soon be a great region. I believe in it very much," he said. "This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East," he said.
Trump's speech in the Knesset
Trump thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu and said: "I want to thank a very brave and patriotic man whose partnership made this possible - you know who I'm talking about, there's only one: Prime Minister Netanyahu. Bibi, please stand up." Trump added with a smile: "And he's not easy - and that's what makes him great. Well done, good job." He then expressed his gratitude "to all the Arab and Muslim nations that came together and pressured Hamas to release the hostages," and said that "we had a lot of help from people you wouldn't expect." According to him, "This is a great victory for Israel and the world - a special moment when all nations worked together as a partnership for peace."
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US President Donald Trump addresses the Knesset
(Photo: Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/Reuters)
He praised US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff for is role in negotiating the agreement, saying he prevented "World War III." Arab lawmakers Hadash-Ta'al Chairman Ayman Odeh and MK Ofer Kassif from his party pulled out signs that read "Recognize Palestine" and rushed the podium, disrupting Trump's speech; they were ejected from the plenum.
Security removes Ayman Odeh and Ofer Kasif after he holds up a sign asking Trump to recognize Palestine
He acknowledged his son-in-law Jared Kushner, adding that Kushner loves Israel so much that "my daughter converted for him," Trump said acknowledging his daughter Ivanka, sitting beside her husband in the Knesset. Trump also praised his team of advisers, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He said of the U.S. military: "We ended the eighth war in the world, and the hostages are back. When you end eight wars in eight months - that means you don't like wars."
Trump added that: "To the Israelis, know that all Americans join you in the two vows: Never forget and Never again."
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Hadash-Ta'al Chairman Ayman Odeh and MK Ofer Kassif ejected from Knesset plenum after rushing hte podium
(Photo: Kenny Holston/Pool via Reruters)
Arab lawmakers disrupt Trump's speech
Trump talked at length about the operations against Iran, and cautioned that Iran was about two months from achieving a nuclear weapon before the attacks. "The pilots told me: We've been looking at this for 22 years, we've practiced bombing it three times a year." He said, "We've removed a big cloud over Israel and the region.
He said that most Arab countries have endorsed demilitarizing Hamas. “Israel, with our help, won everything it could through force – you won,” Trump said. He called on Israel to “translate the victories on the battlefield into the real battle for peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East,” adding: “It is time for you to enjoy the fruits of your labor.”
"The Middle East is finally ready to embrace its potential," he said, noting that the decades of unrest has "backfired." He vowed that the nations of the world, and in particular the Arab countries, would work to reconstruct Gaza.
He criticized his predecessors for their nuclear deal with Iran: "They chose Iran," he said, adding that he canceled the deal. But he then promised to "see what we can do" about making a new nuclear deal. He said nuclear destruction is "not going to happen." He addressed Iran directly: "We are ready when you are, and it will be the best decision that Iran has ever made."
Trump brought the Knesset to its feet, saying: The state of Israel is strong and it will live and thrive forever. I am proud to be the best friend that Israel has ever had."
He acknowledged major donor to U.S. Republican candidates, Miriam Adelson, who was sitting in the gallery. He teasingly asked Adelson, a dual U.S. and Israeli citizen, whether she loves the U.S. or Israel better. He also called on Herzog to pardon Netanyahu in the corruption cases against him.
Trump deviated from the written page during the speech and said with a smile: "That wasn't in the speech, as you probably know, but I happen to like this gentleman right over here (Netanyahu). It just seems to make so much sense. You know whether we like it or not, this has been one of the greatest wartime [leaders]. And cigars and champagne, who the hell cares about that?” He said, "I don't think it's controversial. You're a very popular man, because you know how to win." Trump turned to Herzog and said with a smile: "Mr. President, why don't you give him a pardon?" - and those present in the plenary responded with laughter and applause.
Trump concludes that Israel is "safer today and more respected today then at any time in history."
"This week against all odds we have done the impossible and brought our hostages home," he says. "We are going to have hope, harmony, opportunity and happiness in the spiritual center of the world," he concludes. "I love Israel, I am with you all the way."
Knesset speaker Amir Ohana praised Trump ahead of his Knesset speech. He invokes the Biblical concept: "Whoever saves a life, it is as if he saved the whole world." Vows to encourage world leaders to submit his name for next year's Noble Peace Prize. Netanyahu then took the podium to thank the U.S. president for bringing the hostages home and his support for Israel.
"This is your first visit to Israel since you recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moved your embassy here; Thank you President Trump for that," he said, also thanking him for recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights and for supporting Israel at the United Nations and for supporting Israel in its operations against Iran.
"Donald Trump is the greatest friend that Israel has ever had at the White House," Netanyahu also said.
Netanyahu recounted the horrible events of October 7, providing gruesome examples and saying "we remember."
He said "Israel did what it had to do" in response to the massacre. "Our heroic soldiers fought like lions... Israel achieved amazing victories over Hamas and the Iranian-axis countries."
"The price of these victories has been heavy," he said, mentioning the fallen soldiers. "The state of Israel bows its head in eternal gratitude to our fallen heroes. Because of these heroes Israel will have peace."
He introduced American-Israeli soldier Ari Spitz, who lost three limbs in the war, sitting in the gallery.
Netanyahu praised Trump's "unmatched leadership." "You succeeded in something miraculous, you brought most of the Arab world behind the peace process to end the war,' Netanyahu said. He said he believed he and Trump could expand the Abraham Accords, eliciting a smile from Trump. He said he would give Trump the Israel Prize, the country's highest honor, making him the first non-Israeli citizen to receive it.
"As prime minister of Israel, I extend my hand to everyone who wants peace," he said.
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Trump, Netanyahu, Witkoff and Kushner meet with families of the hostages who arrived at the Knesset
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US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet at the Knesset
(Photo: Avi Ohayon/GPO)
Opposition leader Yair Lapid also addressed the president from the plenum, in English. "Mr. President, you have saved the lives of our hostages, thousands of soldiers who now will not fall in battle, and you have saved millions from the horror of war," he said.
He challenged Israel's Arab neighbors: "Israel is not going anywhere. Our story did not end with the Bible." He added that "we are ready" for peace.
Trump arrived at the Knesset plenum to wild applause from lawmakers and the public gallery, including a standing ovation. Seen in the gallery are people wearing red baseball caps hailing the 'peace president'. reminiscent of Trump's ubiquitous MAGA hats.
Before entering the Knesset plenum to deliver his address, Trump signed the Knesset guestbook. "This is my great honor - A great and beautiful day. A new beginning." He told reporters that he believes Hamas will comply with the plan to disarm, and asserted that "the war is over."
At the Knesset, Trump held a working meeting Netanyahu, attended by his advisor Steve Witkoff, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Mossad head Dedi Barnea. During the meeting, Netanyahu spoke by phone with Egyptian President Abdel Fatteh el-Sissi in a call brokered by Trump, in part to determine if Netanyahu will join Trump at the peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. Egypt later confirmed that Netanyahu would arrive at the summit.
The Prime Minister and the president, as well as Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with families of the hostages at the Knesset.
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Peace president hats in the gallery of the Knesset plenum
(Photo: Kenny Holston/Pool via Reuters)
US President Trump and PM Netanyahu in the Knesset
(Videfo: Knesset channel)
Upon landing at Ben Gurion Airport, Trump asked his entourage to arrange a visit for him to one of the hospitals where the released hostages are being treated. According to sources who were there, Trump was heard to say explicitly: "I want to go to a hospital." At this stage, it is unclear whether the request will be granted, but Israel is preparing for the possibility that a visit to Sheba Tel Hashomer Hospital, if it takes place, will significantly delay the schedules and Trump's expected participation in the summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. Sheba has been informed in recent days about the possibility that Trump will visit the hospital, but said that no official announcement has yet been received. However, they are preparing for this possibility.
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President Donald Trump is greeted by Prime MInister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara
(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Trump was greeted at the airport by President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal, Prime MInister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Among those receiving him were US envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and his wife Ivanka. The Prime Minister will meet with Trump in his office in the Knesset, after which they will meet with families of the hostages. Trump will enter the Knesset plenary accompanied by trumpet blasts. Netanyahu, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid will also speak at the special session.
In a post on social media, Herzog welcomed Trump: "Welcome to Israel, @POTUS @realDonaldTrump! The Israeli people welcome you with so much love and so much gratitude! Thank you for all you have done to bring our hostages home! Thank you for your commitment to building a better future of peace in our region! God bless Israel! God bless America!"
After the brief visit to Israel, Trump will fly to Egypt to participate in a peace summit, where Arab and European leaders will discuss the Gaza Strip on the 'day after.' Israel was not invited to the event, where a symbolic signing of an agreement to end the war will take place.
Just before taking off for the region, Trump told reporters: "This is going to be a very special time, there are 500,000 people who came out to celebrate in Israel, also in Arab and Islamic countries, this has not happened before. It is a great privilege to be part of this. This is a great and special event, a historic day."
First published: 11:05, 10.13.25