US President Donald Trump arrived in Israel on Monday to give an address at the Knesset before traveling to Egypt for a high-level summit focused on formally ending the war in Gaza.
The visit marks the culmination of intense diplomatic efforts following the US-brokered ceasefire agreement announced last week.
Key Events of the Presidential Visit
Upon landing at Ben Gurion Airport, Trump was greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli leader is currently under scrutiny, largely rejected by his own people and facing charges of war crimes in Gaza at the International Criminal Court.
The White House outlined a rigorous agenda, confirming that Trump would deliver a speech to the Israeli Parliament early on Monday.
Trump and Netanyahu were also scheduled to hold a meeting in the premier’s Knesset office, after which Trump would meet with the families of the captives.
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The overarching goal of the visit is the international summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where Trump is scheduled to sign the official agreement to end the war.
The deal, which includes a ceasefire and a prisoner swap, was finalized after indirect talks in Sharm el-Sheikh involving mediators from Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar, with oversight from the United States.
The timing of the visit is synchronized with the expected start of the prisoner exchange—the release of the 20 remaining living Israeli captives held by Hamas since the October 7, 2023, attack. This is a crucial element of the first phase of the peace plan.
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Doubts Cast on Peace Council Appointment
Adding a layer of complexity to the post-war governance plans, President Trump expressed reservations about the appointment of former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to the proposed “Peace Council.” This body is intended to manage the administration of the Gaza Strip.
The former UK leader’s inclusion in the White House’s peace plan was met with significant backlash from Palestinians and even within his own Labour Party in Britain, largely due to his controversial decision to back the 2003 invasion of Iraq based on unproven claims of weapons of mass destruction. The war killed millions and destabilized the entire region to this day.
Speaking to reporters during his flight to Israel, Trump acknowledged his personal regard for Blair but emphasized the need for universal approval, stating he was unsure if Blair would be acceptable to all involved parties.
He confirmed that the so-called Peace Council would commence its operations swiftly, regardless of who serves on it.
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(The Palestine Chronicle)
I do not trust trump or netanyahu but Tony Blair should not ever be part of anything to do with the Middle East again. He really should be spending his remaining years in jail for war crimes.
Hear, hear!!