Hold up, #Socialites! Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just dropped a major announcement. He’s set to award former United States President Donald Trump with the prestigious Israel Prize next year. This move is a huge deal, breaking decades of tradition to make Trump the very first non-Israeli ever to snag the nation’s top honor. Talk about a history-making moment!
The news broke after PM Netanyahu met with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, December 29. During their press conference, the Israeli Prime Minister confirmed his intention to bestow the Israel Prize, recognized as the country’s highest cultural accolade, upon the former U.S. leader. Clearly, this isn’t just a handshake agreement; it’s a statement.
Netanyahu didn’t hold back on the praise, calling Trump an “extraordinary” friend to Israel. He stated:
“I’ll say it again and again and again, we’ve never had a friend like President Trump in the White House. I think he’s been extraordinary in his friendship and support of Israel. His principle positions. His willingness to cut through and get to the essence of things. And I don’t say that as a compliment. I just mean it. People have heard me say that behind your back, Mr. President. Many times.
But, I want to say something else. I think we have a partnership, if I can quote you, that’s second to none. I think it’s allowed us to do enormous things…President Trump has achieved remarkable things in the Middle East because we work together. We talk about our ideas.
Sometimes, we have different ideas, but we work it out. And most of the time, we see eye-to-eye. But, it’s been a remarkable experience and this has been a very, very productive meeting. And may I say, a very good lunch. Thank you. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for your support. It’s been from the heart.”
Trump, always one to acknowledge, responded to the compliments:
“He’s been a wartime Prime Minister and I guess I can say I was a wartime President in more places than Israel, if you think about it. Israel was a big factor and we’re with you and we’ll continue to be with you.
A lot of good things are happening in the Middle East. We have peace in the Middle East and we’re going to try and keep it that way. I think we’ll be very successful in keeping it that way.
You’ve been a great friend and I’ve been a great friend to you, and to Israel. It’s been my honor. And the award that I was given was really surprising and very much appreciated.”
Netanyahu elaborated on the significance of the award, stressing that it marked the first time the Israel Prize would be given to a non-Israeli. He shared:
“Well, President Trump has broken so many conventions, to the surprise of people. They figure out, ‘Oh, wow! Maybe he was right after all.’ So, we decided to break a convention too, or create a new one. And that is to award the Israel Prize — which in almost our 80 years have never awarded to a non-Israeli — and we’re going to award it this year to President Trump.
This was announced formerly over lunch by our Minister of Education, who is responsible for the Israel Prize. It’s going to be awarded to President Donald J. Trump for his tremendous contributions to Israel and the Jewish people. I think it’s such a fitting thing.
And it would honor us, obviously, Mr. President, if you could visit Israel in that occasion, on our Independence Day. But, I have to say that this reflects the overwhelming sentiment of Israelis across the spectrum. They appreciate what you’ve done to help Israel and to help our common battle against the terrorists and those who would destroy our civilization. Again, that’s an expression of thanks and appreciation.”
#Socialites, what are your thoughts on this groundbreaking announcement? Peep the clip below and drop your comments!
