Netanyahu praised Trump’s leadership, particularly highlighting the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations during Trump’s first term in office. “I want to express the appreciation and admiration not only of all Israelis, but of the Jewish people and many, many admirers around the world, for your leadership—your leadership of the free world, your leadership of a just cause, and the pursuit of peace and security,” Netanyahu said. “The president has already realized great opportunities. He forged the Abraham Accords. He’s forging peace as we speak, in one country and one region after the other.”
Netanyahu then presented Trump with a copy of the letter he had sent to the Nobel Committee. “It’s nominating you for the peace prize, which is well-deserved,” he said. Trump, seemingly surprised, accepted the nomination and thanked the prime minister. He added that he was unaware of the nomination.
The endorsement comes amid a series of rapid diplomatic and military developments across the region. Just weeks earlier, the US targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, following previous Israeli strikes aimed at ending Tehran’s atomic ambitions.
Trump told reporters Monday that Iran is no longer the “bully of the Middle East” and confirmed that nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran are expected “within the next week or so.”
When asked about the negotiations with Hamas regarding the war in Gaza and the return of Israeli hostages held by Palestinian terrorists for over 630 days, neither US nor Israeli officials offered new details. However, on the question of a two-state solution, Netanyahu said, “I think Palestinians should have all the powers to govern themselves, but none of the powers should threaten us. And that means that certain powers, like overall security, will always remain in our hands. No one in Israel will agree to anything else, because we don’t commit suicide.”
Netanyahu expressed optimism that further peace in the region could be achieved under Trump’s leadership. “I believe we can establish peace between us and the entire Middle East with President Trump's leadership,” he added.
While key Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia continue to link normalisation with Israel to a resolution for the Palestinians, new cracks appear to be forming in the traditional power structure of the Palestinian Authority (PA). On Sunday, five prominent sheikhs from the Hebron district sent a letter to the Israeli government expressing their desire to join the Abraham Accords and form a separate “Emirate of Hebron.”
Addressed to Economy Minister Nir Barkat, the letter states the sheikhs’ willingness to break from the PA and recognise Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people. In return, they seek recognition of their emirate as the official representative of Hebron’s Arab population.
The proposal, described in the letter as “fair and decent,” calls for a replacement of the Oslo Accords, which the sheikhs blame for “damage, death, economic disaster and destruction.”
Minister Barkat told The Wall Street Journal that the two-state paradigm has failed and that the PA is no longer a trusted authority among Palestinians or Israelis. Since February, Barkat has hosted Sheikh Wadee’ al-Jaabari and other Hebron clan leaders for multiple meetings at his home in Jerusalem.
In a further sign of regional realignment, the US Envoy for Lebanon and Syria hinted Monday that both nations might be open to improved diplomatic ties. Trump noted that he lifted sanctions on Syria earlier this year to “give them a chance” and added that he was open to lifting the “biting sanctions” on Iran if it chooses a peaceful path. “I’d like to see Iran build itself back up in a peaceful manner,” Trump said. “Not going around saying ‘Death to America, Death to the USA, Death to Israel,’ as they were doing. They have such potential.”
Trump’s latest Nobel nomination marks at least the fourth during his second term. Previous nominations came from US Representatives Darrell Issa and Buddy Carter, as well as the Pakistani government. A 2024 nomination by Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko was later withdrawn in June 2025 after the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities.
