Knesset speaker Amir Ohana opened the special session by thanking the many people who were involved in the hostage deal and reminded all of the great efforts that President Trump has invested in Israel and the Jewish People, from setting up the US Embassy in Jerusalem through to the hostage deal that resulted in the release of all live hostages from Gaza.
Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed President Trump to Israel, "on this special day that has been engraved in our national memory. We remember our friends, and we acknowledge your contribution to the return of our hostages. On this day, we have learned that all our live hostages have returned home. I want to thank you personally for all you have done. Donald Trump is the greatest friend that the State of Israel has had in the White House."
"No American president has every done as much for Israel, and no one is even close. We welcome you here today for your pivotal leadership that got the backing of almost the entire world; the deal that brought all our hostages home. Ending of a war that achieves all our objectives. Mr. President, you are committed to this peace, I am committed to this peace, and as we have done it before, we will do it again."
"According to the Jewish calendar today marks two years since the start of the war. You told us to remember the start of the war. We remember how Hamas invaded our towns and cities, we remember how they burned and attacked our citizens, we remember how hundreds of young Israelis were shot at the Nova music party. These monsters take babies as hostages. Israel set out to defend our people, to defeat our enemies and to release our hostages. Israel achieved amazing victories over Hamas, eliminating its leaders. They are all gone."
"But with all this almost 2,000 Israelis have died. Their laughter, love and potential has been lost forever. To the families of the fallen soldiers, I say 'I know the depth of your pain that will accompany you for the rest of your lives.' Because of these heroes our nation will survive. Because of these heroes our nation will have peace."
"Mr. President, you asked me on many occasions, how are the people holding up and I told you that we are a nation of lions. The people give strength to our soldiers and the people give strength to me. Many years ago we pledged 'never again,' and that ensures peace. We paid a high price for this war and our enemies have realized how determined we are. They have realized that Israel is strong and Israel is here to stay."
"Had Israel succumbed to the many demands set by Hamas, the Hamas killers would be back on the border fence to kill again and again. Just at the point of maximum pressure against Israel, a man named Donald Trump was elected president of the United States and overnight everything changed. Thanks to your backing of Israel, we secured a second hostage deal within months of Israel.
"Two months ago you fully backed my decision to send military pressure into Gaza City and we were right - Hamas gave in. Two weeks ago you succeeded in doing something miraculous, bringing most of the world behind the decision to release the hostages and end the war."
"I want to thank our negotiating team of our two nations. Thanks to all, we have reached this moment. This week Jews around the world are going to read the book of Ecclesiastes. It's a book of meditations, of thought on life and death, and we read the immortal words of King Solomon - 'there is a time for peace and a time for war.' The past two years were a time of war, the coming years will hopefully be a time of peace, both inside and outside Israel."
"Mr. President, thank you for all you have done for us. Thank you for being the first non-Israeli citizen to receive the Israel Prize, the prize awarded to our greatest friend. When others were weak, you were strong, when others abandoned us, you stood by us. Thank you for bringing our hostages home, thank you for paving our path to peace."