Netanyahu Says Trump to Receive Top 'Israel Prize' Honor During Mar-a-Lago Meeting

President Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, during which Netanyahu said Trump would become the first non-Israeli to win the nation's highest honor, the Israel Prize.

Key Quote: Netanyahu said, "We decided to break a convention, or create a new one, and that is to award the Israel Prize, which in almost our 80 years we've never awarded to a non-Israeli… It's going to be awarded to President Donald J. Trump for his tremendous contributions to Israel and the Jewish people."

For Context: The Times of Israel (Center bias) wrote, "The prize, which is overseen by the Education Ministry, has faced allegations in the past of politicization and has been marked by past battles over controversial recipients." Earlier this month, FIFA awarded Trump the first-ever "FIFA Peace Prize."

Iran Bombing: Shortly after greeting Netanyahu, Trump was asked if he would support another Israeli strike on Iran and replied, "If they will continue with the missiles, yes." Later on, he said, "Speaking of Iran, I hope they're not trying to build up again, because if they are, we're going to have no choice but very quickly eradicate that buildup. So I hope Iran is not trying to build up, as I've been reading that they're building up weapons and other things."

Netanyahu Pardon: In November, Trump requested that Israeli President Isaac Herzog pardon Netanyahu in his corruption trial. On Monday, Trump said, "I spoke to the president. He tells me it's on its way." After the meeting, Herzog's office reportedly told inquiring media that he had not had any conversations with Trump regarding the pardon request since it was submitted.

How The Media Covered It: The Guardian (Left) noted that Trump was immediately asked about bombing Iran, "seemed to conflate Iran's nuclear program and its missile buildup," and that Herzog's office denied updating Trump on a potential pardon. Fox News (Right) did not note any of these details in its coverage and focused only on the Israel Prize.

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