The Knesset is set to host US President Donald Trump for his historic speech at the plenum on Monday morning, marking the occasion of brokering Israel’s ceasefire deal with Hamas, and making him the fourth American president to ever speak before the country’s parliament.
Trump’s visit to the country comes as Israel braces to receive the hostages as part of the deal, after they have been held in Hamas captivity since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.
The US president was invited by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his peace deal was agreed upon by Israel and Hamas. The hostages are expected to be returned by the terror group near the time of Trump’s visit, on Monday.
What is US President Trump's schedule for his Israeli visit?
The Knesset will be Trump’s only stop on the brief trip, scheduled to take place throughout Monday morning. He will return to Ben-Gurion Airport to depart from Israel at 1 p.m.
Upon Trump’s arrival at the Knesset, he is slated to first meet with Netanyahu in his office. A trumpet fanfare is expected to sound in the Knesset upon his entrance to the building.
Trump and Netanyahu, together with Sara Netanyahu, will then meet with hostage families before entering the plenum.
Trump will address the Knesset’s plenum, as will Netanyahu, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, and Opposition leader MK Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid).
The Knesset’s House Committee was required to approve the special session and to allow Trump to speak in English at the plenum on Sunday – as part of the Knesset’s official rules of procedure.
The three American presidents who addressed the Knesset in the past were Jimmy Carter in 1979, Bill Clinton in 1994, and George W. Bush in 2008.
Carter spoke of peace during his speech at the plenum. At the time, he said, “No people desire or deserve peace more than the Jewish people. None have wanted it so long; none have spoken of it more eloquently; none have suffered so much from the absence of peace.”
Clinton spoke of America’s bond with Israel, as did Bush, who said in his speech that “The alliance between our governments is unbreakable, yet the source of our friendship runs deeper than any treaty.”
The Knesset has been working to prepare the building for Trump’s arrival, and it is illuminated at night with the colors of the Israeli and American flags, in blue, white, and red.
The Knesset has also designed a special logo for the occasion of the visit that will be displayed on screens in the building.
Highway 1, which goes from Ben-Gurion Airport to Jerusalem, has been decorated with American and Israeli flags in honor of Trump’s arrival.
MK Ofir Katz (Likud) spoke of the country’s anticipation for Trump’s visit.
“We are all eagerly waiting to thank the president for everything he has done, is doing, and will do for us,” Katz said.
“He is the best friend the State of Israel has ever had, who has always stood by our side, even in difficult moments, and tomorrow we will all express our gratitude to him,” he added.
MK Amit Halevi (Likud) announced on Sunday that he would not be attending the speech due to his belief that the peace agreement “is the opposite of a victory in war.” He said that while he was happy the hostages were returning, he did not agree with various aspects of the deal.