President Isaac Herzog will award Donald J. Trump Israel’s highest civilian honor for his central role in securing the hostage deal, strengthening Israel’s security, and advancing regional peace.
In a moment that cements a historic U.S.–Israel partnership, President Isaac Herzog announced that he will present the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, with the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor — the nation’s highest civilian award — in recognition of Mr. Trump’s leading role in brokering the landmark agreement that advanced the release of Israeli hostages and helped bring an end to the war.
Herzog will formally convey the decision to President Trump during their meeting at the Knesset on Monday, with the Medal to be presented in the coming months at a time and place to be determined.
The citation praises President Trump’s “steadfast and unwavering support for the State of Israel,” noting his unique contribution to Israel’s security and the well-being of its citizens, and his commitment to steering the region toward peace and cooperation. In his statement, President Herzog lauded a string of achievements he attributes to Mr. Trump:
“From his unwavering support for the State of Israel, to the advent of the Abraham Accords which expanded the circle of peace in our region, from the two historic agreements that brought our dear hostages home and saved countless lives, to the decisive strike on Iran’s nuclear program, President Trump’s voice has always been one of courage and leadership, and of steadfast commitment to the pursuit of peace and humanity.”
Herzog added that Trump’s legacy will be remembered for generations by the State of Israel and the Jewish people, and said it would be a “great honor” to present him with the Presidential Medal of Honor.
The Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor is reserved for individuals whose talents, service, or moral leadership have made an outstanding contribution to the State of Israel or to humanity. The award underscores Israel’s gratitude for decisive diplomatic leadership that, according to Jerusalem, helped bring hostages home, bolster national security, and open pathways for regional normalization.
Supporters hailed the announcement as a fitting tribute to the U.S.–Israel alliance at a pivotal moment of recovery and rebuilding, calling the medal a symbol not only of appreciation for a single act, but of an enduring strategic partnership that secured lives and advanced the prospects for lasting stability in the Middle East.
