‘Israel’s greatest friend’: Netanyahu praises Trump as Knesset erupts in applause

US President Donald Trump received a rapturous welcome and high praise from Israeli leaders on Monday during a brief visit to the Knesset, following the successful brokering of a ceasefire with Hamas that saw the final Israeli hostages returned home from Gaza.

In an address to the Israeli parliament, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed President Trump as “the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House,” adding, “No American president has ever done more for Israel.”

Netanyahu credited the US leader’s efforts for the return of the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages earlier in the day, who were released as part of the ceasefire deal with Hamas.

The Prime Minister declared that the deal “brings all our hostages home,” “ends the war by achieving all our objectives,” and “opens the door to an historic expansion of peace in our region and beyond our region.”

The Prime Minister also praised Israel’s military success, stating the country had “achieved amazing victories over Hamas.” He acknowledged the heavy cost of the fighting while asserting that Israel acted decisively against multiple threats, including Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran.

A Nobel nod and eternal gratitude

The outpouring of praise began even before Netanyahu’s address.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana lauded President Trump, announcing that Israel would nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize next year.

Ohana repeatedly thanked Trump for his strong support, particularly during Israel’s 12-day conflict with Iran earlier this year, and for his role in securing the Gaza ceasefire. “Thousands of years from now, Mr. President, the Jewish people will remember you,” Ohana said, adding there is “not a single person on this planet who did more than you to advance peace.”

President Trump, accompanied by his special envoy Steve Witkoff, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and daughter Ivanka, received a lengthy standing ovation from Israeli lawmakers upon entering the parliament.

The historic visit came as the final group of 20 surviving Israeli hostages arrived back in Israel from Gaza, a development that sparked scenes of “joy, tears and song” among huge crowds in Tel Aviv gathered to support the captive families.

Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel is set to release approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 security detainees convicted of offenses against Israelis and about 1,700 who were detained during the recent war. Hamas is also due to return the bodies of the 27 hostages who died in captivity, as well as the remains of a soldier killed in 2014.

Trump’s quick trip to Jerusalem precedes a major summit on the “day after” in Gaza, which the US President will co-chair in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh.