From the Liveblog of
Monday, December 29, 2025
Hailing ‘very productive’ meeting, Netanyahu invites Trump to Israel to receive Israel Prize
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praises US President Donald Trump, saying he has been “extraordinary in his friendship and his support for Israel. His principled positions. His willingness to cut through, to get to the essence of things.”
The partnership “has allowed us to do enormous things,” says Netanyahu.
Trump, says Netanyahu, “has achieved remarkable things in the Middle East because we work together. We talk about our ideas. Sometimes we have different ideas, but we work it out. And most of the time we see eye-to-eye.”
Netanyahu calls the meeting “very, very productive.”
“We’re with you, and we’ll continue to be with you,” Trump responds.
“We have peace in the Middle East, and we’re going to try to keep it that way,” Trump continues.
Trump says being granted the Israel Prize in a new peace category “was really surprising and very much appreciated.”
Netanyahu explains that since Trump has broken so many conventions, Israel decided to as well — to award the Israel Prize to a non-Israeli. “It would honor us, Mr. President, if you could visit Israel” on Israel’s Independence Day, he continues.
The Times of Israel Community.