Donald Trump: "This is not just the end of a war, it is the dawn of a new Middle East"
- ‘The president of peace’
- ‘The hostages are home’
- ’No more sleepless nights‘
- ‘The era of terror is over’
Following the release of the 20 hostages still held alive in the Gaza Strip by the terrorist group Hamas, US President Donald Trump has travelled to Israel to accompany the families of the hostages and to give a speech in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on his first visit to the Jewish state as US president.
In addition, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, and opposition leader Yair Lapid are also expected to speak in the Knesset.
‘The president of peace’
‘The Jewish people will never forget his [Trump's] actions in defending the freedom of Israel and the freedom of democracy,’ said Amir Ohana, Speaker of the Knesset. In a speech lasting more than 20 minutes, Ohana praised Trump's actions to ensure that the hostages could be reunited with their families.
‘Trump, you are not the president of the United States, you are the president of peace. A leader who has demonstrated his passion for true peace and who is not afraid of threats from terrorist regimes. You fight for peace regardless of the inconveniences. Consequently, we will propose that you be the recipient of the next Nobel Peace Prize. There is no one in this world who has fought harder for peace than you,’ said Amir Ohana.
‘The hostages are home’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Knesset to thank Donald Trump for his peace efforts in Gaza, describing him as ‘the best friend Israel has ever had in the White House. No US president has done so much for Israel.’ He also expressed his gratitude to Steve Witkoff, US Special Envoy to the Middle East, and Jared Kushner.
‘The goal has been achieved. The hostages are back with their families and peace has been achieved. Five years ago, we signed the Abraham Accords, and we will do so again,’ said the Israeli Prime Minister.
"I don't want to forget our Defence Forces – Israel Defence Forces (IDF). You have fought like true heroes, brave men who have fought to the end. You have fought like true lions.‘
’To the families of the hostages, I want to say that I feel your pain, and I know that it has been two years of fear, but also of hope, which will stay with us forever. But this pain has ended today."
Our people have never surrendered to the attacks of Iran. Our enemies now know our determination and the actions we will take to defend our people, but I hope this will never happen again. We must strengthen the idea of peace as a deterrent," he continued.
Governments succumbed to Hamas' propaganda. They asked us to stop before dismantling Hamas and to allow Iran's nuclear programme to remain intact, but we refused because we could not leave the door open to more 7 October, not only in Israel, but anywhere in the world,‘ he added.
’Tonight has changed everything. Thank you for everything you have done for us, Mr President. May God bless the United States and Israel, and the bond that unites our two nations,‘ Netanyahu concluded.
’No more sleepless nights‘
Following the speeches by the Speaker of the Knesset and the Prime Minister of Israel, opposition leader Yair Lapid took the floor.
’Trump, you have saved the lives of many of our hostages. But you have done more than that. You have saved the lives of hundreds of soldiers and millions of people around the world. You have saved the lives of everyone,‘ he began his speech to the Knesset.
’You should be the Nobel Peace Prize winner, because peace should not be expected, it must be built and discussed, and that is what you have forged throughout your term in office. Thank you for defending the only democracy in the Middle East," he continued.
‘The era of terror is over’
US President Donald Trump began his speech to the Knesset with solemn words: ‘It is a great honour, dear citizens and members of the public. Today is a day of joy, a day of renewed faith, to give thanks to the God of Isaac, Abraham and Jacob.’
‘After two horrible years in captivity, twenty brave hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their families,’ said the president, to the applause of Israeli MPs and the attentive gaze of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In his speech, Trump proclaimed that ‘this is not just the end of a war, but the end of an era of terror and death.’ The US president described this moment as ‘the historic dawn of a new Middle East; the starting point for lasting peace for Israel and the entire region.’
Donald Trump noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘is not the easiest guy to deal with... But that's what makes him great. Thank you, Bibi, great job.’ Trump praised the economic and military relations between the two countries, saying that Netanyahu often called him to ask for ‘weapons that even I didn't know about.’
‘My administration is supporting the disarmament of all Israel's enemies,’ he said. ‘Support for the new prime minister of Lebanon is working well. The disarmament of Hezbollah is a matter of time,’ he added.
‘Hamas will be completely disarmed, the fear of being attacked is over,’ said Donald Trump. ‘We are entering an era of peaceful development in the Middle East region,’ he concluded.
"The first time I came here eight years ago, it was with the mission of uniting the Arab countries with Israel through the Abraham Accords, and this time with the most important peace and ceasefire agreement for the region, which has ended the conflict. We have ended decades of promoting terror in the region. As soon as possible, four countries in the region will be part of the new Abraham Accords,‘ he continued.
’The world wanted peace, Israel wanted peace, and we have achieved it," he concluded.