Former U.S. President Donald Trump received a long, warm welcome in Israel’s Knesset on October 13, 2025. Lawmakers stood and applauded him for two and a half minutes as he entered the chamber, with trumpets playing and Trump smiling and clapping along.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana led the greeting, praising Trump for his work to strengthen Israel and promote peace in the Middle East. Other top U.S. officials with Trump, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Ambassador Mike Huckabee, and senior adviser Jared Kushner, were also cheered by the audience.
Netanyahu himself was greeted with chants of “Bibi!” from members of parliament. Trump made a light joke about the long introductions, saying they might delay his trip to a nearby peace summit in Egypt.
The event highlighted Trump’s popularity among many Israeli politicians, who see him as a strong supporter of Israel. It also reflected the close U.S.–Israel relationship and the hope that ongoing talks and peace efforts in the region can continue. The applause was a show of respect and a reminder of the impact of Trump’s past policies in the Middle East.