Netanyahu nominates Trump for Nobel peace prize

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister, has nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel peace prize.

Netanyahu, who is in Washington for a meeting with US officials, presented Trump with the letter he submitted to the prize committee.

“I want to express the appreciation and admiration not only of all Israelis, but of the Jewish people,” Netanyahu said at a White House dinner on Monday.

The prime minister praised Trump’s “pursuit of peace and security”.

“He’s forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region after the other,” Netanyahu said.

“So, I want to present to you, Mr. President, the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize Committee. It’s nominating you for the Peace Prize, which is well deserved. You should get it.”

“Coming from you in particular, this is very meaningful,” Trump replied.

This is the second time Trump has been nominated for the Nobel peace prize.

Last month, Pakistan recommended the US president for the award, after he helped broker a truce with neighbouring India.

The Pakistani government said Trump proved himself a genuine peacemaker, demonstrating great strategic foresight and stellar statesmanship through robust diplomatic engagement with both Islamabad and New Delhi.

Netayanhu’s meeting with Trump comes as Israel continues to pound Gaza despite ongoing talks for a ceasefire.

Last week, Trump said Israel agreed to a 60-day ceasefire with Hamas.

Days later, Hamas said it submitted a “positive response” to a hostage-ceasefire proposal with Israel.

It is also the first time both leaders are meeting since the short-lived war between Israel and Iran which the US waded into with strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Trump said he “hoped” the US would not have to strike Iran again.

On Gaza, Netanyahu said the strip “should be an open place”.

“We’re working with the United States, very closely, about finding countries that will seek to realise what they have always said — that they want to give the Palestinians a better future, and I think we are getting close to finding several countries. Again, the freedom to choose, Palestinians should have it,” he said.

Trump then briefly added: “We’ve had great cooperation from many surrounding Israel… something good will happen.”

When Netanyahu visited the White House in February, Trump said the US would “take over” and “own” Gaza, and that Palestinians there would “go to other countries”.

The United Nations kicked against the move, calling it ethnic cleansing.