In a historic moment, President Donald Trump was the first foreign leader to be awarded the Israel Prize for “special contribution to the Jewish people”
Trump’s approval ratings at home may be underwater with an approval rate of 38 to 40 percent, but he enjoys strong popularity in Israel, with 83 percent of Jewish Israelis expressing confidence in him.
Education Minister Yoav Kisch had informed Trump back in December that he would be awarded the prize in the special contribution category. In a video address Tuesday ahead of the ceremony, Kisch said there wasn’t any “other person who can mark such amazing achievements and a wonderful connection to the Jewish people except for Trump at this time.”
At the ceremony, Kisch lauded Trump as a true friend of Israel who showed unswerving loyalty, “standing uncompromisingly against manifestations of antisemitism.”