Trump receives standing ovation in Israeli Parliament
Speaker calls Trump “a giant of Jewish history"
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Tel Aviv: United States President Donald Trump received an extended standing ovation from Israeli lawmakers, as he addressed Israel’s parliament, the Knesset after Hamas released the remaining 20 hostages under a Gaza ceasefire agreement on Monday.
Trump arrived in Tel Aviv to a red-carpet welcome, aboard Air Force One and was accompanied by his special envoy Steve Witkoff, daughter Ivanka Trump, and son-in-law Jared Kushner. He was greeted by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, who hailed him as “a giant of Jewish history.” He was scheduled to visit Jerusalem for his address outlining his Middle East peace vision.
“Welcome to Jerusalem. Welcome to the Knesset. We’ve been longing for this day,” Ohana said, drawing applause from the chamber. In his remarks, Ohana compared Trump to Cyrus the Great, the ancient Persian ruler who allowed Jews to return to Jerusalem in the sixth century BCE, adding that “the world needs more Trumps, brave, resolute, and bold leaders who do not bow to appeasement.”
Ohana also announced that Israel would support a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for Trump next year, citing his influence on the region’s recent developments.
Addressing the assembly, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, thanked Trump for his administration’s support during recent joint US-Israel military operations and for recognising Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights. “Donald Trump is the greatest friend the State of Israel has ever had in the White House. No American president has ever done more for Israel,” Netanyahu said.
He credited Trump’s backing with helping Israel secure a second hostage deal “within weeks” of his election and for reversing diplomatic pressure on Israel during its conflict with Hamas. Netanyahu will not attend the upcoming ceasefire ceremony in Egypt due to the proximity of the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah.
By Monday afternoon, the 20 freed all male hostages had returned to Israel for medical evaluation and reunions with their families. The remains of 28 others killed in captivity are also expected to be handed over under the terms of the agreement.
Following his address in Jerusalem, President Trump is expected to travel to Egypt to participate in the formal signing of the ceasefire accord alongside regional leaders.
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Former minister C M Ibrahim announces to launch new regional party for Karnataka
Kalaburagi: Two years after being expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular), former minister C.M. Ibrahim has announced that he will launch a new regional political party in Karnataka on January 24, reported Deccan Herald.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Andolana in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Ibrahim confirmed the birth of the new party.
The 77-year-old politician stated he would soon be meeting with other like-minded individuals to choose a symbol for the party.
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Ibrahim emphasised that the organisation would be guided by the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
A veteran politician, Ibrahim served as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister and later headed the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was expelled from the JD(S) in 2023 on charges of anti-party activities.
His exit from the party followed sharp differences over the JD(S) decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the then state president of the JD(S), Ibrahim had publicly criticised the alliance, claiming it was finalised without his knowledge. He had also reportedly convened meetings of his supporters and expressed support for the INDIA bloc.
