In a historic Knesset session marking Israel’s triumph and peace, PM Netanyahu lauds Donald Trump for delivering every hostage home and reshaping Israel’s destiny.
The Knesset erupted in standing applause as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed U.S. President Donald J. Trump to Jerusalem, in what has already been called one of the most momentous addresses in Israel’s modern history — the celebration of victory, the end of war, and the dawn of peace.
Opening the special session, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana expressed Israel’s collective gratitude:
“From moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem to securing the release of every living hostage from Gaza — President Trump has etched his name forever in the story of the Jewish people.”
Then came Netanyahu’s emotional words — the kind that will be remembered for generations.
“On this day, engraved forever in our national memory, we welcome you, our greatest friend. No American president has ever done as much for Israel — and no one comes close. Mr. President, you have stood by us in our darkest hour and led us to our greatest light.”
The Prime Minister recounted the horrors of October 7, the day Hamas invaded Israeli towns, murdering and abducting innocents, and the two-year struggle that followed.
“We remember how they burned our homes and butchered our people. We remember the massacre at the Nova music festival. These monsters took our babies as hostages. Israel set out to defend its people — and we did. Hamas’ leaders are gone. Israel achieved total victory.”
Netanyahu’s voice softened as he paid tribute to Israel’s fallen:
“Nearly 2,000 of our people gave their lives so that Israel might live. Their laughter and love will echo through eternity. Because of these heroes, our nation will survive. Because of these heroes, our nation will know peace.”
Turning to Trump, Netanyahu spoke with visible emotion:
“You often asked me, ‘How are the people holding up?’ And I told you — we are a nation of lions. The people give strength to our soldiers, and the people give strength to me. We pledged ‘Never Again,’ and today, we kept that promise.”
He reminded the Knesset how Trump’s decisive leadership turned the tide of history:
“When the world pressed Israel to surrender, a man named Donald Trump entered the White House — and overnight, everything changed. Thanks to your backing, we struck hard in Gaza, brought Hamas to its knees, and won the release of all our hostages.”
“You achieved what no one else could — uniting most of the world behind a just peace. Mr. President, you are the greatest friend the Jewish nation has ever known.”
Quoting from the Book of Ecclesiastes, Netanyahu concluded:
“There is a time for war and a time for peace. The past two years were our time of war — may the coming years be our time of peace, within and beyond our borders.”
In a final, thunderous moment, Netanyahu announced:
“Mr. President, you are the first non-Israeli citizen to receive the Israel Prize — awarded to our greatest friend. When others were weak, you were strong. When others abandoned us, you stood by us. Thank you for bringing our hostages home and paving our path to peace.”
As the chamber stood united — Israeli flags waving beside American ones — the moment became more than ceremony. It was a declaration:
🇮🇱 Israel lives, Israel triumphs, and Israel remembers its friends.
