The President of the United States, Donald Trump, who declares himself the architect of peace in Gaza, has landed in Israel today before participating in the Egypt summit. He was welcomed by Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog at Ben Gurion Airport. Also present were members of the American delegation who were already in Israel, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner and his daughter Ivanka Trump.
Before the Knesset, where he received a great ovation, Trump stated that today "is a historic dawn for a new Middle East." "This is not just the end of a war. It is the end of the era of terror and death, and the beginning of the era of faith, hope, and God," he added. The American also thanked Benjamin Netanyahu and even joked by saying that he is not the "easiest person to deal with, but that's what makes him great."
There was a moment of commotion in the chamber when some noises were heard that forced the interruption of the American's speech, and security intervened. They were two deputies - one Jewish and one Arab - from the communist party Jadash who displayed a banner demanding: "Recognize Palestine," reports Sal Emergui.
Trump celebrated before the Israeli Parliament the return of the hostages and stated that the "nightmare is over."
The President of the United States commented: "Bibi called me many times" to ask for weapons, "so many that Israel became strong and powerful... that is what led to peace."
Such is the friendship that binds them that the President of the United States even asked Herzog to pardon Netanyahu.
"Know that the United States stands with you in those two eternal votes: never forget and never again," he continued. "Throughout the Middle East, the forces of chaos, terror, and ruin that have ravaged the region for decades are now weakened, isolated, and completely defeated."
Before his speech, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke and thanked Trump for all efforts for peace. "Mr. President, you are committed to this peace, I am committed to this peace, and together, Mr. President, we will achieve this peace," he said.
"Israel, with our help, has achieved everything that can be achieved by the force of arms. Now is the time to turn these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East," he indicated. Trump calls on Palestinians to "forever turn away from the path of terrorism."
He told Netanyahu that "the world loves Israel again" and that "those seeking to destroy Israel are doomed to fail."
He also mentioned that it would be "great" to make peace with Iran and offered to partner in rebuilding Gaza. Now that he has reached an agreement on the Gaza war, he emphasized the possibility of reaching a deal with Tehran.
"I think we have an opportunity. I think it will be easy, but first, we have to resolve the issue with Russia. We have to solve that first," he said, explicitly referring to the Iranian nuclear program, which prompted the United States to bomb its facilities last June. "Someone said, 'Sir, they are starting their nuclear program again.' I said, 'Let me tell you something. They are not starting anything. They want to survive. The last thing they want to do is dig tunnels in mountains that have just been destroyed and start over. I think we have an opportunity," he added.
A day that "will be inscribed in history"
Netanyahu stated that it is a day that "will be inscribed in history." Trump will also "be inscribed in the history of our nation" and the world, he continued. "How much we have awaited this moment," he said, "and I want to thank you personally on behalf of the entire nation." He also emphasized that Trump is "the best friend Israel has ever had in the White House."
"No one wants peace more than the people of Israel," the Prime Minister pointed out. And he suggests that he will eventually win the Nobel Prize.
Netanyahu concluded his speech by once again thanking Trump for everything done and the friendship that binds them.
Next, the leader of the opposition, Yair Lapid, spoke.
Donald Trump greets Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion Airport.Evan VucciAP
Inside Air Force One
Already on the plane, Trump had been unequivocal: "The war is over."
When asked if he would like to visit Gaza, he responded to the press aboard Air Force One that he would be "proud" to do so. "I know it very well without having visited it," he says. "I would like to, at least, set foot there." "But I think it will be a great miracle in the coming decades. If it goes too fast, it won't be good. You have to go at the right speed, you can't go too fast."
"Everyone is happy, whether they are Jews, Muslims, or Arab countries. All countries are dancing in the streets," he said in his speech on the presidential plane. He also mentioned that his "Peace Board" to govern Gaza would be operational "very quickly." "Everyone wants to be part of it [the Peace Board]. I have received calls from all leaders," he added.
The stopover will only last a few hours because he must then attend the Peace Summit in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Once in the holy city, he will meet with relatives of the hostages and deliver a speech in English before the Parliament, reports Efe.
Trump is scheduled to meet with the families of the hostages.