On Monday, October 13, 2025, President Donald Trump delivered a fiery and historic address to Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, marking a pivotal moment not just for U.S.-Israel relations, but for the broader Middle East peace process. Trump’s speech, which lasted nearly an hour, was anything but subdued. He used the occasion to settle old scores with his political adversaries, both at home and abroad, while touting the recent cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas—a deal he brokered and which has been widely praised as a breakthrough after years of bloodshed.
Trump’s remarks were a blend of triumphalism and pointed criticism. He did not shy away from lambasting his Democratic predecessors, former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as well as his 2016 rival, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. According to CBS News, Trump told the assembled lawmakers, “All of the countries in the Middle East that could have what we’re doing now, it could have happened a long time ago, but it was strangled and set back almost irretrievably by the administrations of Barack Obama and then Joe Biden.” He accused both administrations of harboring “hatred” for Israel, a claim that drew sharp reactions from the packed chamber.
The president’s critique was especially harsh regarding the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which he called “a disaster for Israel, and it was a disaster for everyone.” As reported by the Daily Mail, Trump asserted, “The setbacks really started when President Obama signed the Iran nuclear deal.” He argued that the agreement allowed Iran to expand its nuclear programs, posing a direct threat to both Israel and regional stability. His comments echoed long-standing Republican criticism of the deal, which was negotiated with the aim of curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief.
Trump’s speech was not just about assigning blame. It was also a celebration of what he described as a new era for America and its allies. “I heard it first from the King of Saudi Arabia. I then heard it from [the United Arab Emirates]. I heard it from Qatar. I heard it from many other countries. A year ago, the United States of America was a dead country. Now it’s the hottest country anywhere in the world. It is the hottest. There’s no question about it,” Trump told the Knesset, as reported by both CBS News and the Daily Mail. His remarks suggested that Arab leaders now see the U.S. as a revitalized force in the region, capable of brokering peace and fostering economic growth.
Trump also took a swipe at Hillary Clinton, recalling their 2016 campaign debates. “Everyone thought I was going to be brutal. I remember Hillary Clinton during a debate, ‘Look at him, look at him. He’s going to go to war with everybody!’” Trump said, according to CBS News. He countered that perception by touting his record: “But when you settle eight wars in eight months, that means you don’t like war!” This was, in his view, a direct rebuttal to what he called “just another example of the political scare tactics that failed.”
Interestingly, Clinton herself struck a markedly different tone in the wake of the cease-fire. Appearing on CBS News over the weekend, she praised the Trump administration’s efforts, saying, “It’s a really significant first step and I really commend Trump and his administration.” Her comments, coming from a former political rival, underscored the magnitude of the agreement and the hope it has stirred among some observers for a lasting peace.
The cease-fire agreement, which was finalized just hours before Trump’s speech, included a number of significant provisions. As detailed by CBS News, the deal called for the release of the remaining living Israeli hostages, the return of the bodies of slain hostages, a reciprocal release of Palestinian prisoners, and a cessation of hostilities. The freeing of hostages by Hamas, who had been held captive since the outbreak of war two years ago, was seen as a major humanitarian gesture and a key confidence-building measure. Trump was in Israel to witness this moment firsthand, adding to the symbolism of his visit.
Inside the Knesset, the atmosphere was electric. Trump was greeted with loud cheers as he declared, according to CBS News, “the end of an age of terror and death.” He went on to describe the Gaza agreement as “maybe the greatest deal of them all.” The accolades did not stop there. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana lauded Trump as a “colossus” and “a giant of Jewish history,” while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him “the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.” These words reflected the deep appreciation among many Israeli officials for Trump’s support and his role in brokering the latest peace deal.
Trump’s criticisms of Obama and Biden were not limited to their policies on Iran. He called Biden “the worst president in the history of our country by far, and Barack Obama was not far behind, by the way,” according to the Daily Mail. He also accused Biden of being “incapable” and “a corrupt grifter.” Representatives for Biden and Obama did not immediately respond to requests for comment, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Adding a dramatic layer to the day’s events, the Daily Mail included a satellite image of Iran’s Fordo nuclear enrichment facility, referencing “Operation Midnight Hammer”—a U.S.-authorized bombing of the site. While details of this operation were not the focus of Trump’s address, its inclusion in the coverage highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the lengths to which the U.S. is willing to go to prevent nuclear proliferation in the region.
Trump’s address also marked a rare honor. He became only the fourth U.S. president to speak before the Knesset, joining the ranks of Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. The timing of his visit—coinciding with the release of hostages and the implementation of a major peace agreement—further underscored the significance of the occasion.
As the dust settles on this momentous day, one thing is clear: Trump’s speech has reignited debate over the legacy of recent U.S. administrations in the Middle East. While his supporters hail the cease-fire as a testament to his dealmaking prowess, critics remain wary of his confrontational style and the long-term sustainability of the agreement. Yet, for now, the release of hostages and the promise of renewed negotiations offer a glimmer of hope in a region all too familiar with conflict.
Whether this “new dawn” will endure remains to be seen, but October 13, 2025, will be remembered as a day when old grievances were aired, new deals were celebrated, and the world watched as history unfolded in Jerusalem.
