During a speech on Monday, President Trump humorously remarked that the Norwegian delegate to the Gaza peace conference might be avoiding him after the Norwegian Nobel Committee chose to award its esteemed peace prize to a Venezuelan opposition leader instead.
“So, we have Norway! Oh, Norway, what’s going on? Norway, where are you?” he quipped while celebrating the peace deal he played a crucial role in brokering between Israel and Hamas.
“Where’s Norway? I think he’s hiding. Oh, there he is,” Trump continued.
The identity of Norway’s representative at the Egyptian peace ceremony was not immediately clear.
Despite being nominated by both his American and international supporters, Trump, now 79, found himself passed over for the Prize just three days prior, reminiscent of the controversial decision to honor former President Barack Obama in his first year of presidency.
The Nobel Committee, selected by Norway’s parliament, awarded Maria Machado, a former member of Venezuela’s National Assembly, who had been barred from running against the authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro.
Nominations for the Peace Prize officially closed on January 31, coinciding with Trump’s return to power and prior to the numerous international agreements he initiated. Some of his advisers believe he may have a stronger chance for next year’s award.
Responding to Trump’s request to speak at the Egyptian gathering, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared his intention to re-nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, highlighting his influence in halting a brief conflict in May between India and Pakistan.
Additionally, both the governments of Israel and Cambodia have put forward nominations for Trump, citing his roles in ceasing hostilities with Iran and Thailand, respectively.
Stay informed on the Israel-Hamas cease-fire exchange
- After two long years, emotions run high as freed Gaza hostages reunite with their families
- Israel begins releasing just under 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including some convicted of severe crimes
- New York politicians celebrate the release of Israeli hostages, declaring a ‘new chapter of lasting peace’
- President Trump concludes, ‘an end of an age of terror and death,’ to roaring applause in the Israeli parliament
Both Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders, who had previously called for Trump to receive the Nobel Prize for his mediation in their longstanding conflict, attended the Gaza ceremony. Following the event, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed his gratitude to Trump in person.
“Today marks one of the most significant days in modern history,” Sharif noted on Monday regarding the peace agreement.
“President Donald Trump was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize because of his exceptional efforts in halting the war between India and Pakistan and achieving a ceasefire, along with his outstanding team,” Sharif stated.
“Once again, I would like to nominate this great president for the Nobel Peace Prize, believing he is the most genuine candidate for the award, having not only fostered peace in South Asia, saving millions of lives, but also in Gaza today, saving countless lives in the Middle East,” he added.
Sharif concluded, “I truly believe you are the leader this world needs at this critical moment.”
