Two members of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, were removed from the chamber on Monday after interrupting US President Donald Trump’s remarks. Hadash Party leader Ayman Odeh and party MK Ofer Cassif were escorted out while Trump was speaking about special envoy Steve Witkoff, The Jerusalem Post reported.Odeh was holding a sign in protest against Trump.The protesters were removed from the Knesset for holding signs reading “Recognize Palestine!”, The New York Times reported, during Trump’s speech.The Knesset speaker banged the gavel and instructed officials to “expel this Knesset member” as lawmakers stood to applaud the removal. Security quickly surrounded them and led them out of the main chamber while the other lawmakers applauded to divert attention from the disruption. “That was very efficient,” Trump said before returning to his speech about Witkoff.On his group, does not absolve him and his government of the crimes against humanity committed in Gaza, nor of the responsibility for the blood of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian victims and thousands of Israeli victims.”“But only because of the ceasefire and the overall deal am I here.“Only ending the occupation, and only recognizing the State of Palestine alongside Israel, will bring justice, peace, and security to all.”Trump, in his address to the Israeli parliament, called the agreement that brought a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas a triumph, and thanked mediators from Arab and Muslim countries.“Let me also convey my tremendous appreciation for all of the nations of the Arab and Muslim world that came together to press Hamas to set the hostages free and to send them home,” Trump said before the Israeli parliament.“We had a lot of help, we had a lot of help from a lot of people that you wouldn’t suspect, and I want to thank them very much for that. It’s an incredible triumph for Israel and the world to have all of these nations. working together as partners in peace.”The events came as Israel began receiving the last hostages held by Hamas and prepared to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners under a Gaza ceasefire agreement.Trump arrived in Tel Aviv on Air Force One on Monday for a short visit before flying to Egypt for a ceremony marking the ceasefire.Aid was being prepared for Gaza, much of which has been destroyed in the two-year war that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages. Israel’s military response has, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, killed over 67,600 Palestinians.Hamas handed over 20 surviving Israeli hostages under the ceasefire, while Trump and other leaders prepared for a Gaza summit.In Tel Aviv, a large crowd gathered to support hostage families and reacted with joy, tears, and song at news of the releases, while mourning those who did not survive.Under the agreement, Israel will release nearly 2,000 detainees in exchange for the hostages.The handover occurred during Trump’s short visit to Israel before heading to Egypt, with the US president declaring the war “over.”
