Netanyahu Addresses Knesset, Praises Trump Amid Hostage Release and Peace Talks

Netanyahu's Address to the Knesset

• 🇮🇱 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed President Donald J. Trump to Jerusalem, highlighting his significant role in Israel's history and the return of hostages.
• 🇺🇸 Netanyahu expressed deep gratitude to Trump for recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital, supporting sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and brokering the Abraham Accords.
• 🤝 The Prime Minister emphasized Trump's pivotal leadership in a proposal that garnered global support, aiming to bring all hostages home and end the war while achieving Israel's objectives.

Remembering October 7th and Honoring Sacrifice

• 💔 Netanyahu recounted the brutal Hamas attack on October 7th, remembering the 1,200 people slaughtered, including Americans, and the atrocities committed against families and festival-goers.
• 🎗️ He paid tribute to Israel's fallen soldiers, acknowledging the heavy price of victory and the profound grief of their families, while celebrating the nation's survival and future.
• 💪 The Prime Minister shared the story of Ari Spez, an American-Israeli soldier injured in Gaza, embodying the spirit of Israel's resilience.
• 🌍 He also highlighted Sabine Tasa's strength in sharing her family's tragedy to expose the nature of the enemy and the justice of Israel's cause.

Trump's Impact on Hostage Deals and Regional Peace

• 🚀 Netanyahu credited President Trump's election with dramatically changing the situation, leading to a second hostage deal within weeks and paving the way to end the war with Hamas disarmed and Gaza demilitarized.
• 🤝 The Prime Minister noted Trump's full backing of the IDF's operations and his success in uniting most of the Arab world behind a proposal for hostage release and war's end.
• 🌟 He lauded Trump's unparalleled global leadership, stating he had never seen anyone move the world so quickly and decisively.

The Path Forward: Peace Through Strength

• 🕊️ Netanyahu referenced the biblical concept of seasons, marking the end of a war period and the hopeful beginning of a time for peace, both within Israel and regionally.
• 🌍 He expressed a desire to expand the circle of peace through new treaties with Arab and Muslim countries, uniting civilization against barbarism.
• 🏆 Netanyahu announced his nomination of President Trump for the Israel Prize, Israel's highest award, recognizing him as the greatest friend the state of Israel has ever had in the White House.

Behind-the-Scenes Negotiations

• 🤝 In the 11th hour, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met directly with Hamas negotiators in a villa in Sharm El Sheikh, brokering a handshake deal.
• 🚫 This direct engagement bypassed standard diplomatic channels due to Hamas's designation as a terror organization by the US.
• 🌍 The deal's success was attributed to the involvement of Qatari, Turkish, and Egyptian intelligence chiefs, alongside President Trump's extensive diplomatic efforts in the region.
• 💥 The decimation of Iran-linked groups and leaders was also cited as a potential factor influencing Hamas's decision to agree to the deal.