header-image

Donald Trump applauded at Knesset as Gaza hostages freed

In United States News by Newsroom October 13, 2025

Donald Trump applauded at Knesset as Gaza hostages freed

Credit: Independent

Summary

  • A ceasefire and phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
  • Hamas agreed to release all living and deceased Israeli hostages within 72 hours.
  • Israel to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in exchange.

Before legislators in the parliament building on Monday gave lengthy applause to specific officials of Trump's administration, members of the Knesset guard blew trumpets.

Israeli lawmakers praised U.S. officials' efforts to promote peace to the region in a series of speeches, hailing senior officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Politicians and the small American delegation, which included Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband, advisor Jared Kushner, applauded and gave Rubio a standing ovation.

After Steve Witkoff's speech at a rally for the hostages in Tel Aviv on Saturday was frequently interrupted by jeers at the mention of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the crowd chanted his name.

Speaker Amir Ohana welcomed "my dear friend and my absolute favorite rockstar" ambassador Mike Huckabee after thanking the team in English "for everything that you have done to bring about this day."

Huckabee, who sat among top U.S. officials watching the stage, waved and gave the panel the thumbs up.

As Ohana welcomed the politicians to the parliament building, they turned to face Hegseth and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine.

Together with Witkoff and his spouse, Kushner and Ivanka were greeted for their representation of the U.S. delegation during the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Ivanka was seated in the middle of the U.S. contingent, looking over the podium.

Speaking in Hebrew during his introductory remarks, Ohana quoted Witkoff as saying that "we wouldn't have reached this point if Prime Minister Netanyahu hadn't acted the way he did" and commended Netanyahu for making "very difficult decisions."

When the president arrived Monday to speak to the parliament and hear from top Israeli officials, he received a two-and-a-half-minute standing ovation.

The speaker called Trump "one of the most consequential presidents in history" and promised to work with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to support Trump's bid for the Nobel Peace Prize the following year.

“There is no one more deserving than you, President Trump. No one!”

he said, met with more applause.

The parliamentarians erupted in yells of "Bibi! Bibi! Bibi!" as Netanyahu, flanking Trump, ascended the stage.

The Israeli prime minister said,

"Donald Trump is the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House,"
after enumerating some of Trump's accomplishments.
As Trump gestured into the throng, the fans erupted in chants of "Trump! Trump! Trump!"

once more.

Netanyahu continued by praising a potential agreement that "opens the door to a historic expansion of peace in our region and beyond our region" and "ends the war by achieving all our objectives."

He said Trump would be the first non-Israeli recipient of the Israel prize, the country’s highest award.

“As to that other prize, just a question of time. You’ll get it,”

he joked.

How Israeli lawmakers and opposition reacted to his address?

Numerous Israeli MPs greeted Trump with open arms and praised his role in mediating the truce and hostage release in Gaza, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid. Netanyahu called Trump Israel's "greatest friend" as they gave Trump and his staff standing ovations.

Two MPs from the far-left Hadash party, Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif, momentarily interrupted the address by holding signs demanding the creation of a Palestinian state. As other members applauded, security quickly escorted them out of the room.

Odeh emphasized the need to recognize a Palestinian state in order to achieve long-term peace and denounced the Israeli government's actions in Gaza. Cassif urged opposition to the measures he described as apartheid and occupation.