Netanyahu says Trump will be first non-Israeli to receive Israel Prize after Mar-a-Lago meeting

MAR-A-LAGO, FLORIDA: On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said President Donald Trump will get the Israel Prize, the country’s top cultural award.

This is a first; no non-Israeli has ever received it before.

Netanyahu made the announcement after meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. It’s a surprising move that breaks with almost eighty years of tradition and really shows just how tight the US and Israel are these days.

Netanyahu says, ‘we decide to break a convention’

"We decided to break a convention, or create a new one, and that is to award the Israel Prize, which in almost our 80 years we’ve never awarded to a non-Israeli, and we’re going to award it this year to President Trump," Netanyahu said.

"It’s going to be awarded to President Donald J Trump for his tremendous contributions to Israel and the Jewish people," Netanyahu continued, calling it 'such a fitting thing.'

The Israel Prize stands as the country’s highest civilian honor.

It usually goes to Israeli citizens who’ve dedicated their lives to science, culture, the arts, or humanitarian work. Most years, the prize recognizes people whose work truly shaped Israeli society and left a lasting mark.

Netanyahu said the gesture reflects the overwhelming sentiment of Israelis across the political spectrum, noting they appreciate what Trump has done to help Israel and support the shared fight against 'terrorists and those who would destroy our civilization.'

Trump responds to the recognition

Trump thanked Netanyahu for the recognition, saying, "It really is a great honor," while they stood together at the news conference.

This moment really highlights how both leaders keep pushing to strengthen their partnership, especially after the US helped broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

Netanyahu said in October that Trump was the ;greatest friend' Israel has ever had, remarks that came after Hamas released the final 20 living hostages under a peace deal brokered by Trump and his administration.

The announcement arrives at a time of heightened focus on Middle East diplomacy, with lingering tensions in Gaza and ongoing concerns about Iran’s regional ambitions.

"No American president has ever done more for Israel," Netanyahu said at the time. "It ain’t even close."

He credited Trump for standing up for Israel at the United Nations, recognizing Israel’s rights in the West Bank, and withdrawing from what he described as the ‘disastrous’ Iran nuclear deal.

The Israel Prize usually goes to Israeli citizens who’ve made a difference at home, but Netanyahu chose to honor a foreign leader this time, Trump. It’s a big move that shows just how close the US and Israel got during Trump’s time in office.