Israel will award Trump its highest civilian honors

Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced today that he will award the country’s highest civilian honor to his American counterpart, Donald Trump, in recognition of his role in securing the release of hostages in Gaza and helping to end the war.

“With his tireless efforts, President Trump not only helped return our loved ones to their homeland, but also laid the foundations for a new era in the Middle East built on the foundations of security, cooperation, and real hope for a peaceful future,” Herzog said in a statement issued by his office. He added, “It would be a great honor for me to award him the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor.”

Herzog explained that the medal will be awarded in the “coming months,” but that he will inform Trump of his decision during the US President’s visit to Israel on Monday. On Monday, Israel and Hamas are scheduled to exchange hostages and detainees as part of the first phase of the peace plan proposed by Trump.

The Israeli presidency announced that the Medal of Honor is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the State of Israel or to humanity.

Israel had previously awarded the medal to former US President Barack Obama in 2013.