Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally nominated former US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his “historic contributions” to Middle East peace efforts, particularly the Abraham Accords. The nomination, delivered in a letter during their meeting at the White House, has sparked intense global debate given the ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has drawn severe international criticism.
During the meeting, Netanyahu commended Trump’s role in brokering diplomatic normalisation between Israel and several Arab nations, including the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. “He’s forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region after the other,” Netanyahu said during a private dinner with the former US president.
However, the timing of the nomination has raised eyebrows globally, especially as Israel’s offensive in Gaza continues unabated. More than 57,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the conflict reignited, prompting accusations of war crimes from human rights groups and international watchdogs. Critics argue that celebrating peace while Gaza remains under siege reflects a troubling dissonance.
In May 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The charges stem from accusations that Israeli leadership knowingly deprived Gaza’s civilian population of essentials like food, medicine, water, and electricity.
Trump, for his part, has long pushed for Nobel recognition, having previously been nominated by Republican lawmakers. He often touts his mediation in conflicts such as those between Serbia and Kosovo, and India and Pakistan, as proof of his peace credentials.
Interestingly, Pakistan had also considered nominating Trump in 2019 for helping defuse tensions with India. However, the idea was abandoned after Trump’s administration supported Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites in 2024, drawing sharp criticism across Pakistan’s political spectrum.
While Netanyahu’s move is largely symbolic, it aligns with both leaders’ political interests — Trump ahead of the 2025 US elections, and Netanyahu as he faces mounting pressure over Israel’s actions in Gaza.
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