Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated US President, Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
He handed Trump a copy of the letter he has submitted to the committee that awards the prestigious honor as the two leaders met at the White House. “I want to present to you, Mr. President, the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize committee,” Netanyahu told Trump at the White House.
Netanyahu added before leaning over the table that separated the US and Israeli delegations and personally presenting the nomination letter to Trump, “It’s the nomination of you for the peace prize, which is well-deserved. And you should get it.”
He asserted that Trump is forging peace “in one country and one region after the other.”
Netanyahu’s gesture ostensibly took the US President by surprise. “This I didn’t know,” a surprised Trump said as he read through the nomination.
“Well, thank you very much. Coming from you, in particular, this is very meaningful. Thank you very much.”
Donald Trump
Trump had already been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Rep. Buddy Carter for his role in negotiating a cease-fire between Israel and Iran, effectively bringing an end to the 12-day conflict between the two countries.
In his letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Carter praised Trump for his “extraordinary and historic role in brokering an end to the armed conflict between Israel and Iran and preventing the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism from obtaining the most lethal weapon on the planet.”
During his meeting with Netanyahu, Trump emphasized his peacemaking ambitions. “I’m stopping wars,” he said.
He confirmed that Iran has requested new talks following the joint US-Israeli strikes on its nuclear and missile infrastructure.
“They want to meet. They want to work something out. They’re very different now than they were two weeks ago.”
Donald Trump
Netanyahu called the military operation against Iran“a historic victory,” adding that it “set back the two tumors that were threatening the life of Israel – the nuclear tumor and the ballistic missile tumor.”
However, he warned, “just like a tumor, it can grow back,” stressing that the situation be constantly monitored to make sure that “there’s no attempt to bring it back.”
Turning to Gaza, Trump said that he believes a ceasefire deal may be reached soon. “They want that ceasefire,” he said, in reference to Hamas.
Netanyahu echoed that desire, but reiterated that “certain powers, like overall security, will always remain in our hands.”
“No one in Israel will agree to anything else. We don’t commit suicide. We cherish life.”
Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu, Trump Iterate Forced Transfer Of Palestinians Out Of Gaza
Moreover, the two leaders repeated their controversial proposal to forcibly transfer thousands of Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu told reporters present at the meeting that the US and Israel were working with other countries to give Palestinians a “better future”, suggesting that the residents of Gaza could move to neighbouring nations.
“If people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave. It shouldn’t be a prison. It should be an open place and give people a free choice.
“We’re working with the United States very closely about finding countries that will seek to realise what they always say, that they wanted to give the Palestinians a better future. I think we’re getting close to finding several countries.”
Benjamin Netanyahu
Trump, who earlier this year caused outrage when he floated his idea of relocating Palestinians and taking over the Strip to turn it into a “Riviera of the Middle East”, said there had been “great cooperation” on the matter from “surrounding countries.” He added, “So something good will happen.”
The two leaders also touched on Syria. “I think there’s an opportunity to explore,” Netanyahu said, referencing recent shifts after the collapse of the Assad regime.
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