Jerusalem, October 13, 2025 — A historic speech by Donald Trump in Israel’s Knesset turned chaotic after two lawmakers disrupted the former U.S. president with an unexpected pro-Palestinian protest.
As Trump addressed the Israeli parliament, touting his latest Middle East peace initiative, lawmakers Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif of the left-wing Hadash party stood up and unfurled a banner reading “Recognize Palestine,” shouting slogans before being swiftly removed by security.
The interruption lasted only seconds, but the moment ricocheted across international headlines, putting the unresolved Palestinian issue squarely back in the spotlight — during what was supposed to be a celebration of diplomacy.
Trump, visibly unfazed, smiled and quipped, “That was very efficient,” referring to the rapid response by Israeli security forces. The crowd of lawmakers and dignitaries responded with a mix of applause and tension.
The protest came just a day after Trump helped broker a long-awaited hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas — a political victory he hoped would reinforce his image as a global dealmaker ahead of the 2026 U.S. elections.
In the aftermath, the Speaker of the Knesset publicly apologized to Trump, calling the disruption “unacceptable and shameful.”
But the moment also reignited debates within Israel over the treatment of Arab citizens, the suppression of dissenting voices in parliament, and whether Trump’s peace plan is truly inclusive — or just another geopolitical show.
