In a move drawing both praise and sharp criticism, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially nominated former U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. The announcement came during Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump at the White House this week, where he presented the nomination letter in person.
“It’s nominating you for the Peace Prize, which is well deserved,” Netanyahu told Trump, who responded with surprise and gratitude: “Wow, coming from you, this is very meaningful.”
Supporters hail the nomination as a gesture of solidarity between the two leaders, while critics have slammed it as a tone-deaf move given the context of ongoing violence in Gaza and Netanyahu’s legal challenges.
Netanyahu is currently facing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Analysts say the nomination is part of Netanyahu’s broader effort to reinforce ties with Trump amid tensions over the 21-month-long war in Gaza and a recent 12-day conflict with Iran.
“This is Netanyahu’s way of courting Trump and securing political leverage,” said Dania Koleilat Khatib, a US-Arab relations expert. She noted the Israeli leader arrived in Washington with a wide list of demands, including defense guarantees from the U.S.
Trump, who has long sought the Nobel Peace Prize, has been nominated multiple times before, including for his role in brokering the Abraham Accords. However, critics argue that awarding the prize to a figure as polarizing as Trump — especially via a nominator under ICC scrutiny — would damage the integrity of the Nobel Committee.
At the time of publication, the Norwegian Nobel Committee had not commented on the nomination.
“It’s nominating you for the Peace Prize, which is well deserved,” Netanyahu told Trump, who responded with surprise and gratitude: “Wow, coming from you, this is very meaningful.”
Supporters hail the nomination as a gesture of solidarity between the two leaders, while critics have slammed it as a tone-deaf move given the context of ongoing violence in Gaza and Netanyahu’s legal challenges.
Netanyahu is currently facing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Analysts say the nomination is part of Netanyahu’s broader effort to reinforce ties with Trump amid tensions over the 21-month-long war in Gaza and a recent 12-day conflict with Iran.
“This is Netanyahu’s way of courting Trump and securing political leverage,” said Dania Koleilat Khatib, a US-Arab relations expert. She noted the Israeli leader arrived in Washington with a wide list of demands, including defense guarantees from the U.S.
Trump, who has long sought the Nobel Peace Prize, has been nominated multiple times before, including for his role in brokering the Abraham Accords. However, critics argue that awarding the prize to a figure as polarizing as Trump — especially via a nominator under ICC scrutiny — would damage the integrity of the Nobel Committee.
At the time of publication, the Norwegian Nobel Committee had not commented on the nomination.
