Knesset Members Tackle Trump, Call for Palestine Recognition

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This collage depicts US President Donald Trump speaking before the Knesset and an Israeli legislator protesting with a sign that reads “Recognize Palestine.” — Reuters

Momentary chaos erupted inside Israel’s Knesset on Monday when two legislators interrupted the speech by U.S. President Donald Trump — shouting to demand recognition of Palestine. They were quickly escorted out by security.

Hadash Party leader Ayman Odeh and fellow member Ofer Cassif held up signs that said “Recognize Palestine!” during Trump’s speech, which celebrated the recent US-brokered Gaza ceasefire agreement.

As the two displayed their signs, the Knesset speaker struck the gavel and ordered, “Remove this Knesset member!”

Security personnel immediately encircled the protesters and led them out while other members applauded their removal.

“That was very swift,” Trump commented before smoothly moving on to discuss his envoy, Steve Witkoff.

Outside the chamber, Odeh explained his protest on X (formerly Twitter): “They took me out just because I asked for the recognition of a Palestinian state. There are two peoples here, and neither is going anywhere.”

Cassif echoed this sentiment, stating that genuine peace “will only happen with the end of occupation and apartheid, and with a Palestinian state existing alongside Israel.”

Trump, the first U.S. president since 2008 to speak before Israel’s parliament, had called the event a “historic dawn for the Middle East,” just moments before the disruption. He highlighted the Gaza ceasefire and a significant prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas as components of the peace agreement.