Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday night that he’s nominating President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The honor was “well-deserved,” Netanyahu told Trump.
Why It Matters
Trump has long called himself a master peacemaker and made clear his desire for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Last month, a senior Ukrainian lawmaker who nominated President Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize withdrew it, as peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow slip under the radar and the president keeps his sights fixed on the Middle East.
Following Trump’s decision to intervene in Israel’s war with Iran by launching strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, the U.S. president and Israeli prime minister appear more aligned than ever. Trump also recently made public calls to cancel Netanyahu’s Israeli corruption trial.
What to Know
The two leaders, joined by their senior aides, held a dinner in the White House Blue Room to commemorate the operation and discuss advancing a proposed 60-day ceasefire aimed at pausing the conflict in Gaza.
“He’s forging peace as we speak in one country, in one region after the other. So, I want to present to you the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize Committee. It’s nominating you for the Nobel Peace Prize. It’s well-deserved, and you should get it.”
Trump has long called himself a master peacemaker and made clear his desire for the Nobel Prize.
Trump, speaking in front of reporters, said the nomination was news to him.
“Coming from you, this is very meaningful,” he told the Israeli leader.
Also on Monday, President Trump said he has agreed to a request from Iranian officials to hold talks with the United States, following recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“We have scheduled Iran talks, and they want to,” Trump told reporters. “They want to talk.”
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, who was seated alongside him, added that the meeting could take place soon—possibly within a week.
As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the White House for his third visit this year, what was intended as a show of triumph remained overshadowed by Israel’s 21-month war against Hamas in Gaza—and ongoing uncertainty over how forcefully President Trump will press for an end to the conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presents President Trump with a letter nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize pic.twitter.com/JUzpU2ZPYz
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 7, 2025
Still, during brief remarks to reporters ahead of their dinner, both leaders struck a hopeful tone, suggesting their recent successes could signal a turning point in the region.
“I think things are going to be really settled down a lot in the Middle East,” Trump said. “And, they respect us and they respect Israel.”
Trump has indicated that he hopes to see the Gaza war wind down following last month’s 12-day military confrontation between Israel and Iran. While his meeting with Netanyahu may inject fresh momentum into a U.S.-backed 60-day ceasefire proposal under discussion between Israel and Hamas, whether it results in a final agreement to end the war remains uncertain.
Before leaving for Washington on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed U.S.-Israeli cooperation in securing what he called a “huge victory over our shared enemy.” He also signaled cautious optimism on efforts to pause the fighting in Gaza, saying he was working “to achieve the deal under discussion, on the terms we agreed to.”
“I think that the discussion with President Trump can certainly help advance that result, which all of us hope for,” Netanyahu said.
What People Are Saying
Democratic strategist David Axelrod said on X, formerly Twitter, “All of them–Netanyahu, Putin, the sultans and princes–have solved the least difficult puzzle to solve on the planet: With Trump, lavish flattery and blandishments will get you everywhere!”
Eytan Gilboa, an expert on U.S.-Israel affairs at Bar-Ilan University near Tel Aviv, told the Associated Press on Monday, “Trump thinks that Netanyahu owes him. And if Trump thinks that he needs to end the war In Gaza, then that is what he will need to do.”
What Happens Next
On Monday, Netanyahu also met with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio ahead of his evening dinner with former President Donald Trump. He is scheduled to hold talks Tuesday with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Updates: 7/7/25, 8:17 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
Updates: 7/7/25, 9:04 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
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