Trump Gave A Speech At The Israeli Parliament Praising Netanyahu And Saying Israel Had Won The War
Trump added that Israel had achieved a “total victory” with the US’ help and now had the chance to make peace.
US president Donald Trump flew to Israel to address the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, at the same time Israel and Hamas exchanged hostages as part of the first phase of the ceasefire deal brokered by Trump.
Trump’s speech happened on Monday, Oct. 13, hours after Hamas handed over all 20 living Israeli captives, in exchange to Israel releasing more than 1,700 Palestinians it had detained without charges after Oct. 7, 2023, as well as 250 Palestinians who were convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
In his speech, Trump hailed the day as "the historic dawn of a new Middle East."
saying that the war is over and that Israel had won the war against Hamas.
He added that Israel had achieved a “total victory” with the US’ help and now had the chance to make peace.
He also praised his 20-point peace plan and Arab mediators' efforts in negotiations, as well as the Israeli military pressure that he said ended the war.
Trump also called on Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces charges of corruption, and said Israel’s leaders must “focus on unity, not division.”
Two opposition lawmakers, Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif, briefly interrupted Trump’s speech, holding signs saying “Recognize Palestine,” before they were removed from the Knesset by security.
Rights groups and Palestinian advocates criticized Trump’s speech for ignoring Israel’s genocide in Gaza, which has killed more than 67, 869 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and has destroyed more than 90% of housing in Gaza, according to BBC.
Following his speech, Trump flew to Egypt to lead the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh with Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Leaders from more than 20 countries are also expected to attend, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
During the summit, Trump, Sisi, Qatar and Turkey leaders signed a document formalizing the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Sofia Hou
Kassy Cho
Sofia Hou
