Two members of Israel’s parliament, Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif, were expelled from the Knesset chamber after staging a protest during U.S. President Donald Trump’s address.
Trump arrived in Israel on Monday morning and addressed the Knesset following news that all surviving Israeli hostages held in Gaza had been released.
While Trump was praising his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, lawmakers Odeh and Cassif interrupted, reportedly holding signs demanding “Recognise Palestine.”
They were quickly escorted out by security. Trump reacted to their removal by saying it was handled in a “very efficient” manner.
It was not immediately clear what exactly the protesters were chanting, or whether their protest was planned in advance.
The interruption came as Trump was marking the return of the last living hostages held by Hamas since the assault on October 7, 2023.
Under a negotiated deal, Israel released around 2,000 Palestinian detainees, including 250 security prisoners, in exchange for the Israeli hostages.
Following his speech in Israel, Trump is expected to travel to Egypt for a Middle East peace summit.
In the course of two years of war, over 67,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, with substantial destruction throughout Gaza.
Satellite analysis suggests more than 60% of buildings in the Gaza Strip have been damaged or destroyed, with intense damage in Rafah, Khan Younis, and parts of Gaza City following the end of the March 2025 ceasefire.
