Israeli President to Award Donald Trump Medal for Role in Hostage Release
TEL AVIV – Israeli President Isaac Herzog will award Donald Trump the Israeli President’s Medal, the nation’s highest civilian decoration, in recognition of his contribution to securing the release of hostages held in Gaza, an official statement released Monday confirmed. The announcement comes as Trump arrives in Tel Aviv adn is scheduled to address the Knesset in Jerusalem later today.
The award acknowledges trump’s sponsorship of the ceasefire agreement between israel and Hamas, which is expected to facilitate the return of all remaining living hostages. According to a press release from the President’s office, Herzog will inform Trump of his decision on Monday, with a formal presentation planned “in the coming months, at a date and place to be steadfast.”
“through his tireless efforts, President Trump not only helped bring our loved ones home, but also laid the foundation for a new era in the Middle East based on security, cooperation, and true hope for a peaceful future,” Herzog stated.
The President’s office also highlighted Trump’s “unwavering support for the State of Israel,” citing his role in brokering the abraham Accords – normalizing relations between Israel and Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco – and U.S. actions targeting Iran’s nuclear program.
The Israeli President’s Medal is bestowed upon individuals and organizations demonstrating exceptional service to Israel or humanity. Barack Obama was the first sitting U.S. President to receive the honor, awarded by Shimon Peres in 2013.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army has announced that the International Committee of the Red Cross is en route to the north of the Gaza Strip to begin collecting the released hostages.
