Trump will speak in front of Knesset: Fourth American President addressing Israeli Parliament
US President Donald Trump will hold a speech in the Knesset plenary on Monday morning, becoming the fourth American president addressed to the Israeli parliament. His visit takes place against the background of the agreement to cease the fire between Israel and Hamas and the imminent liberation of the hostages detained by the terrorist group.
Donald Trump was greeted by Prime Minister Netanuahy and President of Israel Herzog Photo: X
Knesset will host the short visit of US President Donald Trump on Monday morning, who was invited by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israel and Hamas agreed the peace agreement. This will be Trump's only stop in Israel, and he will leave for Ben-Gurion airport at 1:00 pm.
Upon his arrival, Trump will meet Netanyahu in the prime minister's office, and at the entrance to Knesset, a trumpet band is expected. Trump and Netanyahu, along with the prime minister's wife, Sara Netanyahu, will then have a meeting with the families of the hostages before the plenary speech.
According to Knesset regulation, the Internal Commission was forced to approve the special session and allow the US president to speak in English.
The program and context of the visit
Trump will take a speech in the plenary of Knesset, where the President of Knesset Amir Ohana and the leader of the opposition Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) will also.
“We look forward to thanking the president for everything he has done, he will do for us. He is the best friend that the state of Israel has ever had, who has always been with us, even in difficult times, and tomorrow we will express our gratitude.“Said Offic Katz, deputy Likud.
The deputy Amit Halevi (Likud) has announced that he will not participate in the speech, arguing that the peace agreement “is the opposite of a victory in the war“He said that, although he enjoys the return of the hostages, he does not agree with certain provisions of the agreement.
History of US presidents who spoke in Knesset
Donald Trump will become the fourth US president addressed to Knesse to Jimmy Carter (1979), Bill Clinton (1994) and George W. Bush (2008).
Carter spoke about peace, stating: “No people want or deserve peace more than the Jewish people. No one wanted it so much; No one expressed their desire more eloquently; no one suffered so much because of the lack of peace”.
Clinton and Bush have underlined the special connection between the United States and Israel. In his speech, Bush stated: “The alliance between our governments is indestructible, but the source of our friendship is deeper than any treaty“He also mentioned the sufferings of the Jewish people, mentioning the Holocaust and historical persecutions, and emphasized the role of Israel as a global leader in technology and culture.
“I was fortunate to see the character of Israel. I touched the West Wall, I prayed at Yad Vashem and visited Masada, a monument of courage and sacrifice. Citizens of Israel: Masada will never fall again and America will be with you“Said Bush in his speech, according to the White House archive.
Special preparations for Trump's visit
The Knesset was decorated with the colors of the Israeli and American, blue, white and red flags, and a specially created logo will be displayed on the building screens. The highway that connects Ben-Gurion to Jerusalem was also adorned with flags in honor of Trump's arrival.
