Trump Praises Netanyahu in Historic Knesset Speech

US President Donald Trump's visit to the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, turned into a dramatic episode of mutual praise and reaffirmation of the strategic alliance, accompanied by both warm assessments and a minor incident. The speeches were filled with personal thanks and promises of future cooperation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, welcoming the US leader, described his visit as historic. "President Trump, the Knesset welcomes you and your delegation to Jerusalem, our eternal capital. This is your first visit to Israel since you recognized Jerusalem as our capital and moved the embassy here," Netanyahu noted, calling Trump "Israel's greatest friend in the White House." He stressed that no US president has ever done more for Israel and assured: "Together, Mr. President, we will achieve this peace."

Trump began his speech with warm words, calling the Knesset a "wonderful place" and thanking God and the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He, in turn, directed words of praise to Netanyahu: "Thank you, Bibi, you are wonderful." Then he joked: "Netanyahu is not easy to deal with, but that is what makes him outstanding." Referring to the settlement of the Gaza war, he confessed that "everyone thought it was impossible, that we were wasting time," and on this issue, he expressed special thanks to his friend, Steve Witkoff.

However, the speech did not go entirely smoothly. Two deputies interrupted his speech, holding up a banner with the word "genocide." They were quickly removed from the hall, to which Trump responded with a brief remark: "They did an effective job."