NATALIE LISBONA sees Trump Knesset love-in that may herald golden age

It was the day Israel and the world had awaited for more than two years – the release of the hostages from Gaza.

But even at this historic moment, Donald Trump could not resist quipping with trademark humour as he spoke to the Knesset.

‘Nice place,’ joked Mr Trump as he took to the podium of Israel’s parliament, before he thanked the Almighty God of ‘Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’.

The President’s landmark address summed up the scale of The Donald's ambition: nothing less than to kick-start a new dawn in Middle East politics.

‘This is the end of terrorism,' he pledged to a standing ovation.

'Generations from now, this will be remembered as the moment things began to change.

'This will be the golden age of Israel and the Middle East.'

For weeks there has been feverish speculation over what has transpired behind the scenes between the President and Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to get to the point of the deal.

Now, clearly alluding to frank private discussions, as Mr Trump admitted as he asked Mr Netanyahu to stand for applause: ‘He’s not the easiest guy to deal with but that's what makes him great.’

Members of the Knesset chanted: ‘Trump, Trump, Trump!'

There were several standing ovations for the President, along with his daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, a crucial figure in the negotiations.

The near-unanimity during the session, which lasted two hours and 20 minutes, session was in stark contrast with the impassioned division that has plagued Israeli politics.

Still, even on this day of all days, there were a very few dissenting voices.

As Mr Trump was speaking, he was interrupted by two far-left members of the Knesset. One, who was carrying a banner demanding the President recognise Palestine, was quickly escorted out of the chamber.

‘That was very efficient,’ Trump quipped.

When Mr Netanyahu spoke, it was not only to dish out praise to Trump but also to make a very thinly coded attack on other world leaders.

He said: 'When others were weak, you were strong… when others abandoned us, you stood by our side… thank you for paving a path for peace.'

The weak who had abandoned Israel? This could only be Sir Keir Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron. Their recognition of a state of Palestine was opposed by the US and regarded in Israel as simply a reward for terror that emboldened Hamas and jeopardised the negotiations before the deal.

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The joy throughout the country over the release of the 20 hostages had irresistibly captured the Knesset. It’s the first time Israelis have rejoiced in a long time, after two years of war.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana added to the torrent of praise for the man of the hour, saying: ‘The world needs more Trumps.’  He added that he will be submitting the President’s achievements to the Nobel Peace Prize authorities next year.

Anyone else might have been embarrassed as the plaudits from all sides piled up. Mr Trump, clearly delighted, was all smiles.

The praise was reciprocated as the President showed genuine affection for Israel, in his unique style, going far beyond the polite phrases of a gracious guest.

'This piece of land is very small,' he said.

'It's unbelievable what you do with that tiny - even of just not the world, the Middle East - this little dot, and think of what you've done. It's incredible. It's incredible.'

Mr Trump warned the watching world to never doubt his commitment to Israel, with a reference to the joint operation earlier this year against Iran’s nuclear facilities. 'Together, we stop the number one state sponsor of terror from obtaining the world's most dangerous weapons,' he said

And soon he was off, to the summit in Egypt, to plan out the end of the war and the future of peace in the region. There, all eyes will again be on Mr Trump, with ‘weak’ Sir Keir destined to have little more than a walk-on part.