Donald Trump continues his pursuit of the prestigious Nobel Prize, but for now, he will receive one of Israel’s most esteemed accolades.

In a move that marks a first in history, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that President Trump would be honored with the Israel Prize, making him the inaugural non-Israeli recipient of this distinguished award.

The unexpected announcement followed an extended meeting between Trump and Netanyahu, during which they discussed the future of Gaza and broader Middle Eastern issues. The discussions were characterized by mutual admiration, with both leaders praising each other’s leadership qualities and determination.

The cordial atmosphere and the awarding of the Israel Prize come amidst challenges facing Trump’s Gaza ceasefire initiative, as tensions rise with accusations from both Hamas and Israel of breaches in the fragile agreement.

The kind interactions and presidential award come as Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan has stalled, and the tenuous agreement is threatened by both Hamas and Israel accusing one another of violating the agreement. 

Challenging humanitarian and logistical concerns remain as both sides work to enter into phase two of the plan, in which Hamas must disarm and an unspecified international stabilizing force is to be deployed to Gaza. 

‘We decided to break a convention too, or create a new one, and that is to award the Israel Prize, which in almost our 80 years we’ve never awarded to a non-Israeli, and we’re going to award it this year to President Trump,’ Netanyahu said at a press conference after a meeting with the president at Mar-a-Lago. 

The Israel Prize is the nation’s highest cultural honor and has been awarded annually for the last 72 years since 1953. It typically celebrates contributions to the humanities, sciences, arts and Jewish culture. 

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago after being informed he will be awarded the Israel Prize

The Israel Prize logo. Israel Prize recipients typically receive a pin and ribbon with this logo

The two leaders noted their friendly relationship while also mentioning how they can disagree amicably at times 

Zubin Mehta, an Indian orchestra conductor, was awarded a special prize at the Israel Prize ceremony in 1991, though it is unclear if he won the full distinction. Mehta lived in Israel for years and led the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. 

The award is typically given out on Israel’s independence day on April 21. Netanyahu shared that he hopes Trump will receive the award in person in Israel. 

‘This reflects the overwhelming sentiment of Israelis across the spectrum,’ the prime minister remarked. ‘They appreciate what you’ve done to help Israel and to help our common battles against the terrorists and those who would destroy our civilization.’

While fielding questions from the press, Trump repeatedly defended Netanyahu as a ‘wartime’ leader who has faced heightened scrutiny over his ongoing corruption trial, in which he is alleged to have received bribes of champagne and cigars for political favors. 

‘You’ve been a great friend, and I’ve been a great friend to you and to Israel, and it’s been my honor,’ Trump said during the press conference. 

‘And the award that I was given was really surprising and very much appreciated,’ he added. 

Israel’s Education Minister Yoav Kisch shared with Trump during the Israeli and US delegation’s closed-door meeting that the US leader would be receiving the prize. 

Trump is fond of awards and has repeatedly mentioned how he has not won the Nobel Peace Prize despite helping to end nearly a dozen wars this year.  

The meeting highlighted Trump’s close ties to Netanyahu and his support of the prime minister’s handling of the war with Hamas. 

‘I’m not concerned about anything that Israel is doing,’ Trump told reporters during the presser. 

Netanyahu also stressed during the meeting how Israel is concerned about Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities

Trump said he would support Israeli strikes on Iran if the Islamic republic pushes ahead with nuclear weapon or ballistic missile development

The president also announced his support for Israeli strikes on Iran should the nation continue building out its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. 

‘Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we have to knock them down. We’ll knock the hell out of them,’ Trump told reporters. 

‘But hopefully that’s not happening. I heard Iran wants to make a deal. If they want to make a deal, that’s much smarter.’

Israeli officials have expressed concern recently about Iran rebuilding its long-range missile capabilities. 

The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu – the fifth this year – comes as White House officials have expressed frustration with Israel and Hamas’s slow-walking the second phase of the president’s peace plan. 

The complicated phase two of the ceasefire involves the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian government, marking an end to Hamas’ decades long rule of the Gaza Strip.

It also sets up the rebuilding of the tattered Palestinian territory, which is to be overseen by Trump and a group he calls the Board of Peace. If all goes to plan, the ‘technocratic, apolitical’ interim Palestinian government would oversee the daily operations within Gaza while reporting directly to the Board of Peace and President Trump. 

Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which was approved by the U.N., would give the Board of Peace a two-year, renewable mandate to reconstruct Gaza.