Netanyahu to Trump in Knesset: “When others were weak, you were strong. When others abandoned us, you stood by our side.” | The Gateway Pundit | by Collin McMahon

During a spirited session at the Knesset today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed profound gratitude to President Donald J. Trump and the U.S., additionally nominating Trump for Israel’s highest distinction, the Israel Prize. “As for that other award (the Nobel Peace Prize), it’s merely a matter of time,” remarked Netanyahu.

Benjamin Netanyahu: President Trump, the Knesset extends a warm welcome to you and your esteemed delegation in Jerusalem, our eternal capital. This marks your first visit since you recognized Jerusalem as our capital and relocated the embassy here, for which we are immensely thankful. [APPLAUSE]

There are numerous additional reasons for our gratitude since your last visit. Thank you for endorsing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. [APPLAUSE]

Thank you for defending Israel against unwarranted condemnation at the UN. [APPLAUSE]

Thank you for acknowledging, in your 2020 peace plan, our historic rights in Judea and Samaria, the ancestral lands of the Jewish people. [APPLAUSE]

Thank you for facilitating the landmark Abraham Accords. [APPLAUSE]

Thank you for retreating from the perilous Iran nuclear deal. [APPLAUSE]

I also express gratitude for your support of Operation Rising Line and your decisive initiation of Operation Midnight Hammer—a name truly befitting for a military endeavor, as it signifies the force unleashed just after midnight. [APPLAUSE]

My friends, this is only a glimpse of the gratitude we owe, but it suffices to reinforce what I’ve reiterated countless times: Donald Trump is the most loyal ally Israel has benefited from in the White House. [APPLAUSE]

No American president has matched your contributions to Israel. To put it plainly, there’s simply no comparison. Today, we gather to express our deep appreciation for your indispensable role in formulating a proposal embraced by nearly the entire global community—a proposal meant to bring all our hostages home. [APPLAUSE]

A proposal that aims to conclude the conflict by achieving all our objectives. [APPLAUSE]

A proposal that opens the gates to an unprecedented expansion of peace, both regionally and globally. Together, Mr. President, we aspire for this peace. [APPLAUSE]

We’ve demonstrated our capacity for this before, as evidenced by the Abraham Accords, and we’ll do so yet again. Mr. President, today’s date on the Jewish calendar marks the end of two years of warfare initiated on October 7th, coinciding with the festival of Simchat Torah. You often remind me, “Remember October 7th.” And believe me, we remember. We remember the thousands of Hamas terrorists who invaded our communities. We recall the brutal massacre of 1,200 individuals by Hamas, including many Americans. We remember families engulfed in flames, clinging to one another. We remember the young Israelis murdered at the Nova Music Festival. We remember the countless citizens abducted into Gaza, among them 12 Americans, spanning all ages, including infants and Holocaust survivors.

Mr. President, these inhumane actions by our enemies demonstrate their depravity—they even take infants hostage. In response to the horrific attacks of October 7th, Israel acted decisively. With unwavering bravery, we dispatched forces to protect our citizens, vanquish our adversaries, and liberate our hostages. Our soldiers displayed unparalleled valor, fighting valiantly on the frontlines where civilization meets barbarism. Israel has achieved remarkable victories against Hamas and the entire Iranian regime. Leaders like Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, Ismail Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah, and Hafez Assad—gone. Iran’s nuclear ambitions and missile capabilities, with your substantial assistance, Mr. President, have been thwarted. Half of the Houthi leadership has been eliminated.

However, the cost of these victories has been steep. Nearly 2,000 of Israel’s finest have fallen, almost half in combat. They leave behind parents, spouses, siblings, and children. Their laughter and potential have been taken forever. To the families of our fallen heroes—many of whom are present—I acknowledge your indescribable grief. The State of Israel bows in eternal respect to our fallen champions.

Thanks to these heroes, our nation endures. Thanks to their sacrifice, our nation flourishes, and through their bravery, our country will attain peace. Mr. President, thousands of our courageous soldiers are currently wounded, enduring profound physical and emotional trauma.

“Every day is an opportunity to challenge limits and redefine possibilities. I may have lost parts of my body, but my spirit remains unbroken, and I would do it all over again for my country and fellow soldiers.”

Ari Spitz lost both legs, one hand, and part of another… pic.twitter.com/5ax8K2bCFz

— Embassy of Israel to the USA (@IsraelinUSA) December 20, 2024

Ari, an American-Israeli who sustained injuries while bravely seeking to dismantle Hamas networks, epitomizes this spirit. In an operation that claimed two of his comrades and injured ten others, he was presumed dead, yet miraculously survived, albeit with the loss of three limbs. Ari, would you please stand for a moment?

There you go, Ari. You embody the spirit of Joshua, David, and the Maccabees. We honor you.

In Los Angeles, Sabine Tassa, of Kibbutz Netiv Asara, watches us today. She lost her husband and eldest son on October 7th and is mother to three other boys. Two of them—Koren and Shai—witnessed their father heroically jump on a Hamas grenade to shield them. We’ve all seen footage of those boys grieving, asking, “Father is dead. Why? Why did God save me?” Mr. President, seeing that footage was heartbreaking—even once was too much. However, Sabine has courageously decided to share this story globally. I remember asking her, “Sabine, how do you manage? Why do you do this?” She responded, “I do it to reveal to the world the monsters we face and uphold the righteousness of our cause.” This is her mission today in Los Angeles. Sabine, we hear you, and on behalf of all of us, you represent the spirit of our legendary heroines—Deborah, Ruth, and Esther. You too are an embodiment of Israel. We salute you. [APPLAUSE]

Mr. President, in our many discussions during the twelve-day conflict with Iran, you often inquired about the morale of the people. I assured you that our citizens are resilient. Israelis are a nation of lions, unwavering in their commitment to defend our homeland and safeguard our future. The public inspires our troops and lends strength to me and my colleagues. The Jewish people have resurrected from ashes repeatedly, yet upon establishing the State of Israel, we pledged it would be “never again” to be defenseless against foes. [APPLAUSE]

This resolute strength not only guarantees our survival but also secures our future and envisions peace. We have endured significant costs for this war, yet our adversaries now realize the depth of our strength and resolve. They comprehend that the assaults on October 7th were a monumental error. They recognize Israel’s fortitude—that we are here to stay. And this, Mr. President, forms the essential underpinning of peace: peace established through strength. Ladies and gentlemen, today marks a historic occasion, a moment of immense joy as our remaining hostages are returned home. My wife, Sarah, and I have met with many families of hostages. Their suffering is indescribable; it is a sorrow that defies language. At the war’s onset, I committed to bringing all hostages back home. Today, with unwavering assistance from your administration, Mr. President, and the incredible sacrifice of the Israeli soldiers, we are fulfilling that promise. [APPLAUSE]

It has been a lengthy endeavor to arrive at this point. Initially, our soldiers applied military pressure on Hamas while our international partners exerted diplomatic influence. Consequently, we managed to secure the release of over 100 hostages through valiant rescue missions. However, as time progressed, the tide shifted.

More nations fell prey to Hamas’s disinformation, leading to an escalation of anti-Semitic sentiments within their borders. They turned against Israel, demanding we acquiesce to Hamas’s conditions. “Just withdraw from Gaza,” they implored. “End the conflict without disarming Hamas or committing to a demilitarized Gaza.”

Had Israel capitulated, not only would we have retained the threat posed by Sinwar, Nasrallah, Assad, and Iran’s missile and nuclear ambitions, but we would also face the re-emergence of these terrorists alongside our border, ready to unleash atrocities time and time again.

But just when pressure peaked against us, Donald J. Trump assumed the presidency of the United States. Overnight, everything changed. Mr. President, your unequivocal support for Israel enabled us to negotiate a second hostage deal shortly post-election. Over the subsequent months, we collaborated closely to devise a process aimed at liberating the remaining hostages and concluding this conflict while ensuring Hamas’s disarmament and demilitarization of Gaza—ensuring it never again poses a threat to Israel. Two months ago, you backed my decision to proceed with military action against the remaining Hamas stronghold in Gaza City. You concurred that this military pressure was crucial to liberating our hostages—and despite the criticism and skepticism, we were vindicated. Hamas relented.

Two weeks ago, you achieved what many deemed impossible. You united much of the Arab world—and indeed most of the globe—behind the initiative to liberate the hostages and conclude the conflict peacefully.

My gratitude extends to Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Ron Dermer for their invaluable contributions to this effort. I thank our negotiating team as well. The close cooperation between our nations has combined military might with President Trump’s unmatched leadership on the global stage. In my time here, I have witnessed various American presidents, but none have influenced the world so swiftly, decisively, and resolutely as our friend President Donald J. Trump.

Through our military resolve and your global leadership, we attained this pivotal moment—a joyous culmination as our nation embraces the return of our loved ones. Mr. President, this week, Jewish communities worldwide will read Kohelet, or Ecclesiastes, from the Bible, which chronicles many miraculous instances.

One such moment was your decision to target Fordow. I believe it represented a crucial turning point, for it was never solely about Fordow. That action, coupled with your previous decision to eliminate Qasem Soleimani, architect of death, fundamentally shifted power dynamics across the globe. You reestablished America as a central actor in global affairs.

As we embark on this week of reflection in Ecclesiastes—a book rich in meditation, perspective on life, and the juxtaposition of existence and mortality—we revisit the timeless words of King Solomon: “To everything, there is a season, a time for every matter under heaven.” A time for war and a time for peace. Recent years have been marked by conflict; we now hope for an era of peace—internally and beyond our borders.

I anticipate us continuing to pave our path together, a journey initiated with the Abraham Accords. Under your leadership, we have the potential to fabricate new treaties with neighboring Arab nations and Muslim countries further afield. Abraham’s descendants shall cooperate to create a brighter future—one that unites civilizations against barbarism, light against darkness, and hope against despair. I firmly believe that with President Trump’s guidance, we can expedite this process more swiftly than anticipated.

As Prime Minister of Israel, I extend my hand to those who earnestly wish for peace with us. No one desires peace more than Israelis. Israel shall remain ever-vigilant in safeguarding itself while nurturing hope. Hope is our national anthem, our ethos, our enduring strength. It is time, my friends, to embrace hope and broaden the circle of peace.

Mr. President, I am grateful for all you’ve done for us. Today, I submit your nomination for the Israel Prize, our highest honor, to be the first non-Israeli recipient. Regarding that other accolade, it’s merely a matter of time. But I want you to receive the Israel Prize—our utmost recognition for our greatest friend.

When others hesitated, you exhibited strength. When fear prevailed, you acted boldly. When others turned their backs on us, you steadfastly stood by our side. On behalf of the government and people of Israel, I extend profound gratitude for your extraordinary friendship. Thank you for your role in facilitating the return of our hostages. Thank you for backing Israel on its path to victory. Thank you for erecting a route to peace.

(In Hebrew) Honored President, welcome to Israel. Welcome to Jerusalem. Welcome during this transformative time that has brought us to this very day. May God bless America, may God bless Israel, and may God bless the bond between our two promised lands. Thank you, Mr. President.