In a sweeping and triumphant address to the Israeli Knesset, U.S. President Donald Trump declared a new era of peace and prosperity for the Middle East, announcing the successful end of multiple conflicts, the return of Israeli hostages, and the “total defeat” of regional threats like Iran and Hamas.
The speech, delivered in his characteristic freewheeling style, painted a picture of a region transformed from one of “terror and death” to an “age of faith and hope and of God,” crediting his own leadership and a team of unconventional negotiators for achieving what he called “the impossible.”
A Region Transformed: Peace and Victory
President Trump opened his address on a celebratory note, announcing that “20 courageous hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their families” and that 28 more had been returned for burial. He declared that after “years of unceasing war,” the skies were now calm, the guns silent, and the sun was rising on a “holy land that is finally at peace.”
“This is not only the end of a war. This is the end of an age of terror and death and the beginning of the age of faith and hope and of God,” Trump stated, calling it the “historic dawn of a new Middle East.”
He credited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he praised as a man of “exceptional courage,” and thanked Arab and Muslim nations for their help in pressuring Hamas to release the hostages.
Credit to a “Great Guy” and a Family Affair
A significant portion of the speech was dedicated to praising his negotiation team, which he portrayed as more effective than traditional diplomats. He lavished praise on his friend Steve Witkoff, comparing him to a “Henry Kissinger who doesn’t leak,” and recounted a lengthy anecdote about Witkoff’s five-hour solo meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump also highlighted the roles of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, for establishing the Abraham Accords, and his daughter, Ivanka, noting her conversion to Judaism. He made bold predictions, calling Senator Marco Rubio the future “greatest Secretary of State in the history of the United States” and praising his Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth.
A New Military Doctrine: “Settle Eight Wars in Eight Months”
Trump outlined a new, aggressive U.S. military philosophy, championing the recent decision to rename the Department of Defense back to the “Department of War.”
“Everyone thought I was going to be brutal… No, my personality actually is all about stopping wars,” he said, claiming his administration had “settled eight wars in eight months.” He contrasted this with what he called the “politically correct” warfare of previous administrations.
He detailed several military successes, including:
- The Destruction of Iran’s Nuclear Program: Trump described how “14 bombs” dropped by B-2 bombers “totally obliterated” Iran’s key nuclear facilities, a move he said was essential for the current peace and was “our last shot” after 22 years of planning.
- The Defeat of ISIS: He credited a general he nicknamed “Raisin Cain” for defeating ISIS in under four weeks, a task he said Washington “television generals” had told him would take years.
- The Shattering of Hezbollah: He announced that the “dagger of Hezbollah” has been “totally shattered” and that the U.S. is supporting Lebanon’s new president in permanently disarming the group.
The “Board of Peace” and a Rebuilt Region
Looking forward, Trump announced the formation of a “Board of Peace,” which he said every involved nation has asked him to chair. He stated that wealthy Arab nations have committed “tremendous amounts of money” to safely rebuild Gaza, emphasizing that for them, the cost is “relatively little” but will ensure regional stability.
He urged all nations to join the Abraham Accords (which he occasionally referred to as the “Avraham Accords”), stating that the original four signatory nations have benefited “unbelievably financially.” He envisioned a future where instead of building fortresses, nations build infrastructure and commerce, competing in areas like artificial intelligence.
A Rebuke of Predecessors and an Open Hand to Iran
Trump spent a considerable part of his speech lambasting his predecessors, calling the Biden administration the “worst in history” and accusing Barack Obama of a “hatred toward Israel.” He took credit for terminating the “disastrous” Iran nuclear deal and moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.
Despite his administration’s military actions against Iran, Trump extended an “open hand” to the regime, stating, “They want to make a deal… and we’re going to see if we can do something.” He conditioned this on Iran renouncing terror, stopping threats to neighbors, and recognizing Israel’s right to exist.
A Spiritual Conclusion and a Vision for the Future
Closing his speech from Jerusalem, which he called Israel’s “ancient and eternal now capital,” Trump framed Israel’s survival as a “modern miracle.” He painted a vision of a interconnected region where “new bonds of friendship, cooperation, and commerce” would join cities from Tel Aviv to Dubai and Jerusalem to Damascus.
“Israel, America, and all of the nations of the Middle East will soon be safer, stronger, greater, and more prosperous than ever before,” he concluded, to a standing ovation.
The speech, light on specific diplomatic details but heavy on grand vision and personal anecdote, marks a definitive moment in Trump’s political narrative, positioning him as the architect of a peace that has eluded generations of world leaders.#
