 "US President Donald Trump gives a thumbs up while boarding Air Force One, as he departs for Israel, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, October 12, 2025. AFP")
US President Donald Trump is set to receive Israel’s highest civilian award, the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour, during his upcoming visit to the country. President Isaac Herzog announced that the medal will be awarded to Trump for his efforts in facilitating the release of hostages from Gaza and helping to lay the groundwork for peace.
“Through his tireless efforts, President Trump has not only helped bring our loved ones home but has also laid the foundations for a new era in the Middle East built on security, cooperation, and genuine hope for a peaceful future,” said a statement from Herzog’s office. The Israeli president added, “It will be a great honour for me to present him with the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour.”
The award is traditionally given to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the State of Israel or to humanity. In 2013, Barack Obama became the first US president to receive it for strengthening Israel’s security and relations.
Trump’s visit and Gaza ceasefire efforts
Trump is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Monday, with the medal to be formally presented in the coming months, and he will be notified of the award today. His visit comes amid a US-proposed Gaza peace plan, which includes a hostage exchange as part of the first phase.
During the four-hour visit, Trump is expected to address the Knesset and meet families of hostages. His 20-point plan for Gaza, accepted last week by both Israel and Hamas, aims to halt the two-year-long conflict that has claimed 67,000 lives in the Palestinian territory. The plan outlines Israeli troop withdrawal, hostage releases, and a framework for a self-governing system in Gaza.