Netanyahu says Trump to become first non-Israeli to receive Israel Prize

By Fox News · Fox News

Breaking with decades of tradition, Israel will award President Donald Trump the Israel Prize, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday after meeting him at Mar-a-Lago. Netanyahu and Trump spoke to reporters following their meeting, during which the Israeli leader announced plans to award Trump the Israel Prize – the nation's highest cultural honor. "We decided to break a convention, or create a new one, and that is to award the Israel Prize, which in almost our 80 years we’ve never awarded to a non-Israeli, and we’re going to award it this year to President Trump," Netanyahu said. "This was announced formally over lunch by our minister of education, who is responsible for the Israel Prize. "It’s going to be awarded to President Donald J. Trump for his tremendous contributions to Israel and the Jewish people," Netanyahu continued, calling it "such a fitting thing." TRUMP THREATENS HAMAS IF GAZA CEASEFIRE COLLAPSES AS JD VANCE TO VISIT ISRAEL Netanyahu said the gesture reflects the overwhelming sentiment of Israelis across the political spectrum, noting they appreciate what Trump has done to help Israel and support the shared fight against "terrorists and those who would destroy our civilization." Trump thanked Netanyahu for the honor, saying, "It really is a great honor." Netanyahu said in October that Trump was the " greatest friend" Israel has ever had, remarks that came after Hamas released the final 20 living hostages under a peace deal brokered by Trump and his administration. IDF ANNOUNCES TRANSFER OF DECEASED ISRAELI HOSTAGE REMAINS THROUGH RED CROSS "No American president has ever done more for Israel," Netanyahu said at the time. "It ain’t even close." He credited Trump for standing up for Israel at the United Nations, recognizing Israel’s rights in the West Bank, also known as Judea and Samaria, and withdrawing from what he described as the "disastrous" Iran nuclear deal. MIKE JOHNSON, WORLD LEADERS TO NOMINATE TRUMP FOR NOBEL PEACE PRIZE AFTER ISRAE…