Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has officially nominated United States President, Donald Trump, for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his efforts to foster peace and stability across regions.
During a White House dinner on Monday, Netanyahu, currently in Washington D.C. for high-level talks, personally handed Trump the nomination letter addressed to the Nobel Prize Committee.
“I want to express the appreciation and admiration not only of all Israelis, but of the Jewish people,” Netanyahu said, commending Trump’s contributions.
The Israeli leader further praised Trump’s global diplomatic engagements, stating, “He’s forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region after the other.”
He then presented the nomination letter, adding, “So, I want to present to you, Mr. President, the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize Committee. It’s nominating you for the Peace Prize, which is well deserved. You should get it.”
Responding, Trump acknowledged the gesture, “Coming from you in particular, this is very meaningful.”
This marks Trump’s second nomination for the prestigious award. Just last month, Pakistan recommended the US president for brokering a temporary truce between India and Pakistan.
In a statement, the Pakistani government lauded Trump’s role as a “genuine peacemaker,” citing his strategic foresight and robust diplomatic initiatives with Islamabad and New Delhi.
The latest endorsement by Netanyahu comes as tensions remain high in the Gaza Strip, where Israel continues its offensive despite active ceasefire negotiations.
Last week, Trump claimed that Israel had agreed to a 60-day ceasefire with Hamas. Subsequently, Hamas confirmed that it had submitted a “positive response” to a hostage-ceasefire proposal.
This meeting between Trump and Netanyahu is the first since the brief Israel-Iran war, which saw US military involvement, including targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Speaking on that conflict, Trump remarked that he “hoped” further strikes would not be necessary.
Commenting on the future of Gaza, Netanyahu stated, “We’re working with the United States, very closely, about finding countries that will seek to realise what they have always said — that they want to give the Palestinians a better future, and I think we are getting close to finding several countries. Again, the freedom to choose, Palestinians should have it.”
Trump added, “We’ve had great cooperation from many surrounding Israel… something good will happen.”
Back in February, during a previous White House visit, Trump made a controversial statement suggesting that the US would “take over” and “own” Gaza, adding that Palestinians would “go to other countries.” The United Nations strongly condemned the remarks, labeling the idea as ethnic cleansing.