Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, handing over a letter of nomination addressed to the Nobel committee during a dinner at the White House.
The gesture comes at a time when Israel’s military operation in Gaza is still ongoing. So far, the conflict has claimed the lives of 57,523 Palestinians.
Just last year, the International Criminal Court, with support from the United Nations, issued arrest warrants for both Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant.
The charges are linked to allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ICC accused them of cutting off vital supplies such as food, water, medicine, fuel, and electricity to Gaza’s civilian population.
“He’s forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region after the other,” Netanyahu said during the gathering at the White House.
Trump has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize several times before by lawmakers and supporters. He has also repeatedly voiced his disappointment over not being recognized by the Nobel Committee.
Trump has claimed credit for easing tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as playing a role in negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo. He has argued that he deserves the Nobel Prize more than former president Barack Obama.
Last month, Pakistan announced its intention to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his role in easing tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi.
However, that plan was quietly shelved after the U.S. supported Israel in military strikes against Iran. The move drew criticism from Pakistani lawmakers and civil society, and no official nomination was submitted.
Trump has also sought credit for his involvement in the Abraham Accords, which aimed to normalize ties between Israel and several Arab nations. In addition, he has highlighted his role in efforts to maintain peace between Egypt and Ethiopia.
Despite campaigning as a “peacemaker” who promised to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, both conflicts are still ongoing more than five months into his presidency.