President Trump wants swift transition to Phase 2 of Gaza peace plan
President Donald Trump told reporters that reconstruction of Gaza would begin soon, but Hamas must first be disarmed.
WASHINGTON – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country plans to award President Donald Trump the Israel Prize, breaking with tradition of honoring non-Israelis and marking the first time the annual award has been presented to the president of another country.
Prime Minister Netanyahu announced President Trump as the recipient of the Israel Prize, the state of Israel’s highest civilian honor for 72 years, shortly after the two leaders met at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
The move comes after President Trump was removed as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize in October, despite actively lobbying for the prestigious award.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that Trump had “broken so many conventions” and said that Israel had “decided to break convention” by awarding Trump the Israel Prize. Prime Minister Netanyahu cited President Trump’s “tremendous contributions to Israel and the Jewish people,” and said, “In the nearly 80 years of our country, we have never awarded the medal to a non-Israel.”
Addressing reporters alongside President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “This is a very fitting occasion, and I would of course be honored if you would take this opportunity to visit Israel.” “This reflects the overwhelming feeling of Israelis from all walks of life. They are grateful for what you have done to support Israel and support our common fight against terrorists and those who seek to destroy civilization.”
Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kish, who administers the Israel Prize, informed President Trump by phone of his selection as the recipient of the award during a December 29 lunch meeting with President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and other U.S. and Israeli officials.
“For the first time in the history of the state of Israel, the Israel Prize will be presented to President Trump!” Kish said in a post to X, accompanied by a video breaking the news to Trump.
President Trump, a close ally of Prime Minister Netanyahu and a supporter of Israel, called the award “truly amazing and very grateful.”
Israel Prize winners must be Israeli citizens or residents of the country for the past three years prior to nomination, but the award has exceptions for individuals who have made “special contributions to the Jewish people,” according to the Jerusalem Post.
Trump’s international allies are increasingly turning to awards and prizes that glorify the U.S. president. On December 5, FIFA President Gianni Infantino held the World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by the United States, and presented President Trump with the first FIFA Peace Prize.
In October, President Trump helped broker a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas. The first phase included the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, increased humanitarian aid, and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
But continued violence in Gaza threatens the fragile ceasefire, with both sides accusing the other of violating the agreement.
X Contact Joey Garrison at @joeygarrison.
