Washington, D.C., July 8: In a dramatic gesture during a private dinner at the White House, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially nominated former US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, lauding his diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, especially the Abraham Accords.
Handing over a copy of the nomination letter to Trump, Netanyahu said,
“The President has already realised great opportunities. He forged the Abraham Accords. He’s forging peace as we speak in one country, in one region after the other… You should get it.”
Netanyahu praised Trump’s broader efforts for peace and security across multiple regions and commended his leadership on the global stage, calling it “extraordinary.” He noted that Trump’s “leadership of a just cause” has resonated with people around the world, especially in the Middle East.
Trump Reacts: “Very Meaningful”
Trump, caught off guard by the gesture, appeared moved.
“This I did not know. Wow, thank you very much. Coming from you in particular, this is very meaningful.”
Trump, who has repeatedly described himself as a “peacemaker”, has long expressed frustration at being overlooked by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, particularly after his mediation in conflicts such as India-Pakistan and Serbia-Kosovo.
To date, only three US presidents have received the Nobel Peace Prize: Theodore Roosevelt (1906), Woodrow Wilson (1919), and Barack Obama (2009).
Growing Recognition from Across Borders
Notably, Pakistan also announced last month that it would formally recommend Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his “decisive diplomatic intervention” during the India-Pakistan conflict following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. According to Islamabad, Trump’s behind-the-scenes mediation helped de-escalate tensions, which had led to Indian airstrikes on terror targets in Pakistan and PoK.
The hostilities reportedly ended after backchannel talks on May 10 between Indian and Pakistani military officials. Trump has consistently claimed credit for preventing a full-scale war.
Netanyahu’s US Visit Amid Gaza Tensions
Netanyahu’s third visit to Washington this year comes at a time of rising international scrutiny over Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. The dinner with Trump included discussion on a possible ceasefire with Hamas. Trump expressed confidence that Hamas was willing to end the war, saying:
“They want to meet and they want to have that ceasefire.”
The meeting comes as families of hostages held by Hamas push both leaders to include hostage release terms in any potential peace agreement.
