In a surprising move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize during a dinner at the White House on Monday night. The announcement came as Netanyahu praised Trump for his efforts in advancing peace, particularly in the Middle East, in front of assembled journalists.
Peace Efforts in the Middle East
During the dinner, Netanyahu lauded Trump for “forging peace in one country, in one region after the other,” and presented him with a nomination letter for the prize. The same letter was reportedly sent to the Nobel Prize Committee. Netanyahu expressed his belief that the nomination was well-deserved, adding, “You should get it.” The US President, visibly moved, responded, “Wow … Coming from you in particular, this is very meaningful.” The United States is widely considered as Israel’s closest ally.
In the course of the discussions, Trump shared his optimism about the possibility of a ceasefire in Gaza, stating his confidence that Hamas would agree to the terms. “They want to meet and they want to have that ceasefire,” Trump remarked. US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, present at the dinner, noted that current indirect talks might lead to a swift agreement. He is scheduled to travel to Doha this week to join mediation efforts according to the White House.
Palestinian Relocation and Ukraine Support
Further discussions touched on the situation concerning Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. When queried about any relocation plans, Trump mentioned positive cooperation with neighboring countries, although he offered no specific details. Netanyahu added, “I think President Trump had a brilliant vision,” emphasizing the principle of “free choice.” He explained, “If people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave,” while highlighting ongoing efforts to collaborate with other countries to offer Palestinians a better future.
Turning attention to the conflict in Ukraine, Trump declared a commitment to providing additional military support, promising to send more defensive weapons. “We have to. They have to be able to defend themselves. They’re getting hit very hard now,” he stated. This follows reports that the US had recently halted the delivery of some previously promised arms, including air defense missiles, to Ukraine.
The dinner at the White House underscored the complex geopolitical challenges and alliances at play, with discussions spanning from peace efforts in the Middle East to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
