Trump Becomes First US President To Deliver Address Before Israeli Knesset Since 2008

United States President, Donald Trump, on Monday, made history as the first sitting American president in 17 years to address the Israeli Knesset, delivering a speech that celebrated peace, faith, and a “new dawn” in the Middle East.

Addressing a packed chamber in Jerusalem on Monday, Trump described it as a “great honour” to stand before Israeli lawmakers, marking his first visit to Israel since the recently brokered Gaza ceasefire that ended two years of hostilities.

“Today is a day to give thanks to the almighty God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” Trump began, drawing applause from members across the political divide.

Reflecting on the ceasefire deal that brought quiet to the region after prolonged conflict, Trump said the agreement symbolized hope and renewal for both Israelis and Palestinians.

“Today the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a Holy Land that is finally at peace,” he declared.

The U.S. president commended the courage of the 20 living hostages who were freed earlier in the day and reunited with their families, calling them “symbols of courage, survival, and the unbreakable spirit of the Israeli people.”

Trump hailed their release as a triumph of diplomacy and faith, adding that the peace accord should mark the beginning of a lasting transformation across the Middle East.

“May this region live in peace for all eternity,” he said. “It is not only the end of war, it is also the end of an age of terror and death, and the beginning of an age of faith, hope, and of God.”

The president described the moment as “the historic dawn of a new Middle East,” pledging America’s continued support for Israel and its regional partners in building peace and stability.

“This is an age of concord, a time when enemies become partners and faith triumphs over fear,” Trump declared, drawing a standing ovation from Israeli lawmakers.

Trump’s visit marked the first time since 2008 when then-President George W. Bush addressed the Knesset, where a U.S. leader has spoken before Israel’s parliament.

The address followed months of U.S.-brokered negotiations that led to the ceasefire, signaling Washington’s renewed diplomatic engagement in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister and members of the Knesset hailed Trump’s speech as a reaffirmation of the enduring U.S.-Israel alliance and a hopeful turning point in regional relations.