BREAKING UPDATE - 13th October 2025, 14:00 UTC+1
In a startling moment during his address to the Knesset, Donald Trump publicly urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to issue a pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying, “Hey, I have an idea. Mr. President, why don’t you give him a pardon? Cigars and some champagne – who the hell cares.” He added, pointing at Netanyahu: "I happen to like this gentleman. It just makes so much sense. Wether we like it or not, he is one of the greatest wartime president." He framed the appeal as fitting for what he called a “wartime” leader and a political ally, escalating speculation over foreign influence in Israel’s internal legal affairs.
@cnn President Donald Trump made an extraordinary call during his speech to the Knesset for the Israeli president to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a recent interview, former U.S. President Donald Trump praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing him as a "wartime president" who "did a great job" during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Trump acknowledged past disagreements with Netanyahu but emphasized their collaborative efforts, stating, “He’s a wartime president. He did a very good job. I had some disputes with him, and they were quickly settled.” He further expressed confidence in Netanyahu's leadership, saying, “As far as I’m concerned, I think he’s done a great job. I think he was the right person at this time.”
Trump's comments come amid a significant diplomatic development: the release of 20 Israeli hostages and the remains of 28 others, facilitated by a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The agreement, part of a broader peace initiative, also includes the release of approximately 1,700 Palestinian detainees and the opening of five border crossings to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. Trump, who played a pivotal role in brokering the deal, arrived in Israel on October 13, 2025, to promote the ceasefire and hostages exchange. Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, he was welcomed by Netanyahu and other Israeli officials. Trump described the moment as a "new beginning" and expressed hope that the ceasefire could lead to lasting Middle East peace. He attributed the opportunity partly to U.S. backing that weakened Iranian proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah. Trump is scheduled to address Israel’s Knesset and later travel to Egypt for a multinational peace summit.
Despite the positive developments, Netanyahu faces domestic criticism. Some Israeli critics accuse him of prolonging the war and sabotaging negotiations to free the remaining hostages. Additionally, when U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned Netanyahu's name during a speech in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, boos and jeers echoed from the crowd of thousands, indicating public discontent.
@dailymail Crowds in Tel Aviv booed when U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff mentioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s name, as he spoke ahead of the release of hostages who had been held in Gaza for two years. Reuters #news #israel #world #war ♬ original sound - Daily Mail
Trump's praise of Netanyahu underscores the complex dynamics of international diplomacy, where personal relationships and political strategies intersect. While Netanyahu's leadership has been instrumental in the recent developments, the path to lasting peace remains fraught with challenges, both on the ground and in the political arenas of Israel and the United States.
The Gaza conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, following a large-scale attack by Hamas on Israel, has resulted in significant loss of life and widespread displacement. As of October 2025, over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, and nearly 90% of Gaza's population has been displaced. The humanitarian situation has been dire, with widespread famine and destruction of infrastructure. The recent ceasefire agreement aims to address these issues by facilitating humanitarian aid and initiating a process towards long-term peace. However, key challenges remain, including the disarmament of Hamas and the establishment of a stable governance structure in Gaza.
