‘Guns are silent, sirens still’: Trump addresses Israeli Knesset after hostage-prisoner swap

US President Donald Trump, addressing Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, on Monday, celebrated the recently brokered ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas, calling the agreement a monumental “triumph” and declaring an end to a “painful nightmare” for Israel.

The President used his high-profile address to acknowledge the crucial role of international partners, extending his “tremendous appreciation for all of the nations of the Arab and Muslim world that came together to press Hamas to set the hostages free and to send them home.”

“We had a lot of help… from a lot of people that you wouldn’t suspect,” Trump noted, adding that the cooperation of various nations working together as “partners in peace” was an “incredible triumph for Israel and the world.”

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Welcomed as a hero by Israeli lawmakers, President Trump asserted that the two-year conflict in Gaza, which began with the October 7 attack, was finally over.

“For so many families across this land, it has been years since you’ve known a single day of true peace… The long and painful nightmare is finally over,” he stated, affirming that Israel was a nation that had “endured burdens that only a proud and faithful people could withstand.”

Call for pardon and challenge to adversaries

In a moment that deviated from his prepared remarks, the President made a direct appeal to Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently facing a corruption trial.

“Hey, I have an idea. Mr. President (Isaac Herzog), why don’t you give him a pardon?” Trump asked, explaining that he simply liked the prime minister and that the idea “seems to make so much sense.”

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Trump also turned his attention to the future of the region, specifically addressing the Palestinian people. He urged them to seize the moment as their “chance to turn forever from the path of terror and violence,” and to focus on “building their people up instead of trying to tear Israel down.”

The US President also proclaimed that the forces of “jihadism and antisemitism” have “failed,” with peace now becoming a “reality we can build upon.”

An open hand to Iran

In a surprising gesture following the earlier conflict where the US joined Israel in striking Iranian nuclear sites, President Trump expressed a desire for a peace deal with Tehran.

“It would be great if we could make a peace deal with them,” Trump said, asserting that Iran’s leaders were ready and that “the hand of friendship and cooperation is open,” despite their regime having “inflicted so much death on the Middle East.”

The President defended his decision to withdraw from the previous Iran nuclear deal, stating he was “very proud to do it,” but maintained a conciliatory tone, telling the Iranian leadership,

“We’re ready when you are. Neither the United States nor Israel bear the people of Iran any hostility. We merely want to live in peace.”

Watch the speech here: