Netanyahu Announces Trump as Recipient of Israel Prize

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on December 29, 2025, that Donald Trump, the current President of the United States, will receive the Israel Prize, the country’s highest civilian honour. This decision, revealed during a meeting between Netanyahu and Trump, marks a significant departure from the award’s traditional criteria.

During their discussion, Yoav Kisch, Israel’s Minister of Education, informed Trump of the decision. In response, Trump indicated that he would “consider attending the ceremony,” which traditionally occurs on the eve of Israel’s Independence Day.

Breaking with Tradition

The Israel Prize is typically reserved for Israeli citizens or long-term residents. According to the regulations published on the Ministry of Education’s website, candidates generally must either be citizens of Israel or have resided in the country for at least three years prior to their nomination. Clause 13 of the prize’s regulations states: “The candidate or candidates will be citizens of the State of Israel, residents of the country for the last three years prior to the nomination.”

Netanyahu acknowledged the unusual nature of this award, indicating that this is the first time in nearly 80 years that the Israel Prize will be conferred upon a non-Israeli. “We decided to break a convention too, or create a new one, and that is to award the Israel Prize… to President Trump,” he stated.

While Trump does not meet the standard eligibility criteria, the award can be granted in special cases for “a special contribution to the Jewish people.” This exception is expected to be cited as a justification for conferring the prize upon Trump.

Limited Precedent for Non-Israelis

Historically, only a handful of non-Israeli citizens have received the Israel Prize. Notably, Indian conductor Zubin Mehta was awarded the honour in 1991 for his extensive work with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

In July 2025, Kisch amended the eligibility rules to allow consideration of Diaspora Jews for the prize. This change faced criticism from former officials and academics who argued that it diluted the award’s significance in recognising the contributions of Israeli citizens.

As the announcement unfolds, the implications of awarding the Israel Prize to Trump continue to be debated, reflecting broader discussions about national identity and recognition within Israeli society.