Netanyahu nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize during White House talks focused on Gaza ceasefire
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize during their meeting at the White House, a session largely focused on the ongoing Gaza conflict and efforts to negotiate a ceasefire.
Speaking at a dinner in the Blue Room, Netanyahu presented Trump with a letter he said he had sent to the Nobel committee. “I want to express the appreciation and admiration not only of all Israelis, but of the Jewish people,” he said, adding, “You deserve it.”
Trump responded, “Coming from you in particular, this is very meaningful.”
This is the second recent Nobel nomination for Trump, following a similar announcement last month by Pakistan.
The meeting came as the U.S. is expected to encourage Israel to accept a ceasefire in its 21-month-long conflict with Hamas in Gaza - a war that has resulted in nearly 60,000 deaths, most of them Palestinians. Negotiators from Israel and Hamas resumed indirect talks in Qatar on Monday for the first time in six weeks, though key points remain unresolved, including guarantees that hostilities will not resume and Netanyahu’s demand for Hamas to be eliminated from Gaza, reported The Guardian.
When asked by reporters if Palestinians would be forced to leave Gaza amid reports of plans to relocate them to camps in Rafah, Trump turned to Netanyahu, who responded, “It’s called free choice. You know, if people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave.” He continued, “It shouldn’t be a prison. It should be an open place and give people a free choice.”
Netanyahu also said that the U.S. and Israel were in close talks with other countries willing to help offer Palestinians a better future. “I think we’re getting close to finding several countries,” he added.
On Iran, Trump said he hopes the U.S. will not need to launch further strikes. “They want to work something out,” he remarked. “They’re very different now than they were two weeks ago.” While he withheld details on upcoming negotiations with Iran, he promised further updates would come “tomorrow.”
Addressing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Trump criticised President Vladimir Putin. “I’m disappointed, frankly, that President Putin hasn’t stopped,” he said. “I’m not happy about it.”
Trump also indicated support for renewed arms deliveries to Ukraine: “We’re going to send some more weapons. We have to. They have to be able to defend themselves.”
During the meeting, Trump also claimed that Hamas was willing to discuss a ceasefire, although he did not provide further details.
On the question of a two-state solution, Trump deferred to Netanyahu, who reiterated Israel’s position: “I think the Palestinians should have all the powers to govern themselves, but none of the powers to threaten us. And that means that certain powers like overall security will always remain in our hands.”
Netanyahu expressed optimism about broader regional peace, saying, “I think we can work out a peace between us and the entire Middle East with President Trump’s leadership and by working together.”
Before leaving for Washington, Netanyahu told reporters he believed a ceasefire deal was achievable under Israel’s stated conditions. Israeli sources later described the initial Qatar talks as positive, though Palestinian negotiators offered a more cautious assessment.
While in Washington, Netanyahu also met with Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and he is scheduled to hold talks with Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
