Arriving in Israel amid a tense geopolitical moment, President Donald Trump addressed the nation’s parliament, the Knesset, on Monday, marking a rare honor only a few U.S. presidents have received.
The visit coincided with the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas for the past two years, setting the stage for a speech that mixed celebration, critique, and bold claims about his impact on Middle East diplomacy.
A New Era for Middle East Diplomacy
Trump spent nearly an hour speaking to lawmakers, portraying a region on the cusp of transformation.
He emphasized that longstanding conflicts could now give way to trade agreements, peace negotiations, and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
“Countries that could have achieved this a long time ago were held back,” he asserted, referring to his view that prior administrations stifled progress in the region.
Blame for Past Administrations
The president did not shy away from criticizing his predecessors.
He directly targeted former Democratic presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, arguing their policies fostered hostility toward Israel.
“All of the countries in the Middle East that could have what we’re doing now were strangled and set back almost irretrievably by the administrations of Obama and Biden,” Trump said.
He also took a swipe at the current president, claiming, “Nobody asked Joe Biden to come up and speak, I guarantee you that.”
Trump’s commentary placed him among only four U.S. presidents to address the Knesset, following Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.
The Iran Nuclear Deal Under Fire
Trump highlighted what he considers major setbacks for Israel, singling out Obama’s Iran nuclear deal as a pivotal misstep.
He claimed the agreement allowed Iran to advance its nuclear program dangerously.
“This was a disaster for Israel, and it was a disaster for everyone,” Trump said, pointing to intelligence reports suggesting Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons continued under the deal.
Global Leaders Express Support
The president recounted conversations with international leaders, who he says expressed alarm over U.S. leadership under Democratic administrations.
“I heard it from the King of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and many others.
A year ago, the United States was a dead country. Now, it’s the hottest country anywhere in the world,” Trump proclaimed.
Addressing Political Rivals
Trump also revisited his 2016 campaign rivalry with Hillary Clinton, recalling how she warned he would start conflicts.
“Everyone thought I was going to be brutal… But when you settle eight wars in eight months, that means you don’t like war!” he stated.
He framed her warnings as failed political scare tactics, highlighting the contrast with his administration’s reported achievements in Middle East peace.
Over the weekend, Clinton herself praised Trump’s role in the Hamas-Israel peace deal.
“It’s a really significant first step and I really commend Trump and his administration,” she told CBS News.
Looking Ahead
Trump’s speech at the Knesset cemented his narrative of strong leadership and diplomacy in the Middle East, while offering pointed critiques of political opponents.
As Israel navigates new agreements and hostage releases, Trump positioned himself as a central figure in shaping the region’s future.