Israel to Award Trump Its Highest Civilian Honour for “Tremendous Contributions”

Washington, Dec 2025 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that US President Donald Trump will be awarded Israel’s highest civilian honour, the Israel Prize, recognizing his “tremendous contributions to Israel and the Jewish people.” The announcement was made at a joint press conference at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, highlighting the close personal and strategic ties between the two leaders.

Netanyahu described the award as a historic break from convention. “We decided to break a convention,” he said. “In almost 80 years, we’ve never awarded the Israel Prize to a non-Israeli. This year, we’re awarding it to President Donald J. Trump for his tremendous contributions to Israel and the Jewish people.”

The Prime Minister invited Trump to attend the formal ceremony on Israel’s Independence Day, emphasizing that the decision reflected broad public sentiment across Israel. “It would honor us, Mr. President, if you could visit Israel for the occasion,” Netanyahu said. “The award expresses the gratitude of Israelis across the spectrum, who appreciate your efforts to support Israel and our shared fight against terrorism and threats to civilization.”

Trump accepted the recognition, calling it “a great honor” and thanking Netanyahu for his personal friendship. “That really is a great honor,” he said. “We’ve achieved tremendous things together, and it’s been an incredible partnership.”

Netanyahu praised Trump’s approach to US-Israel relations, highlighting how close coordination had delivered tangible outcomes in the Middle East. “President Trump has done the exact opposite of past policies,” Netanyahu said. “Through our cooperation, we’ve achieved remarkable results in the region.”

Trump, in turn, described Netanyahu as a “wartime prime minister,” crediting his leadership with preserving Israel during recent conflicts. “If you had eight out of 10 prime ministers in his position right now, you wouldn’t have Israel any longer,” Trump said. He added that Netanyahu’s strong leadership enabled broader regional agreements, saying, “Because of that victory, we were able to get peace in the Middle East.”

Both leaders emphasized the mutual reinforcement of their relationship. Netanyahu said the award reflected the gratitude of the Israeli people, while Trump highlighted their close strategic and personal alignment. “You’ve been a great friend, and I’ve been a great friend to you and to Israel,” he said.

Netanyahu also underscored Trump’s willingness to challenge diplomatic norms. “People said… maybe he was right after all,” he noted, referencing Trump’s unorthodox approach to international policy.

The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions on regional security, including issues concerning Gaza and Iran. Both leaders reiterated their alignment on key matters. “We pretty much agree on most things,” Trump said.

Traditionally, the Israel Prize is awarded to Israeli citizens for lifetime achievement and contributions to the nation. Granting it to a foreign leader marks an unprecedented departure from past practice. During Trump’s presidency, the US undertook major policy shifts favorable to Israel, including the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and strong support during periods of heightened conflict.

By awarding Trump the Israel Prize, Netanyahu highlighted not only the personal bond between the two leaders but also the strategic achievements resulting from close US-Israel cooperation. The ceremony on Israel’s Independence Day is expected to serve as a high-profile recognition of Trump’s impact on Israeli policy and Middle East diplomacy.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)