Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu handed President Donald Trump a surprising letter during their meeting at the White House on Monday, July 7—formally nominating the U.S. leader for a Nobel Peace Prize.
The meeting, held amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, was originally intended to address several urgent issues, including the recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza.
Sources told The New York Times that Trump’s decision to launch the strikes followed a reported sleeper cell threat from Iran and an attack on a U.S. base in Qatar. However, the meeting’s primary focus soon shifted to brokering peace between Israel and its neighbors, including possible normalization agreements.
Gaza Conflict and International Scrutiny
The Israel-Gaza conflict, reignited after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, has led to extensive military action in the Gaza Strip. Israel has faced mounting international criticism for alleged war crimes, including airstrikes on civilian areas and restrictions on humanitarian aid. As of now, the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over the conduct of Israeli forces.
Despite the controversy, the United States has continued to provide significant military and financial aid to Israel—reportedly totaling over $310 million in recent years, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
Trump, now back in office, has expressed support for a ceasefire and extended an invitation to Netanyahu for direct talks in Washington. The discussions also included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, who helped draft the administration’s ceasefire proposal.
Praise—and a Nomination—for Trump
Following their talks, Netanyahu joined Trump for a private dinner in the White House’s Blue Room, even as pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside.
During the dinner, Netanyahu offered a glowing endorsement of Trump’s leadership. “I want to express the appreciation and admiration not only of all Israelis,” he began, “but of the Jewish people and many, many admirers around the world, for your leadership of the free world, your leadership of a just cause, and the pursuit of peace and security.”
Netanyahu highlighted Trump’s role in the 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, calling it a testament to the President’s diplomatic efforts.
Then came the unexpected moment: Netanyahu presented Trump with a copy of a letter he had submitted to the Nobel Prize committee.
“So, I want to present to you, Mr. President, the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize committee,” Netanyahu said with a smile. “It’s nominating you for the peace prize, which is well-deserved.”
According to those present, Trump appeared genuinely surprised by the gesture and thanked Netanyahu for the nomination.
Ceasefire Plan Moves Forward
As part of the peace initiative, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to travel to Qatar this week to discuss the ceasefire proposal with other key stakeholders in the region.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed that both leaders were aligned on the current ceasefire framework.
“The utmost priority for the president right now in the Middle East is to end the war in Gaza and to return all of the hostages,” Leavitt said at a press briefing. “There was a ceasefire proposal that Israel supports, which was sent to Hamas, and we hope they will agree to it. We want to see all hostages released.”
The nomination and diplomatic overtures come at a pivotal moment, as the Trump administration seeks to ease tensions in the region and reassert America’s influence through a mix of hardline responses and renewed diplomacy.
