In a move that many are calling “beyond parody,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated his buddy US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize — despite both leaders’ active roles in some of the most devastating global conflicts in recent history.
The announcement came during a White House dinner on Monday, where Netanyahu presented Trump with a letter addressed to the Nobel committee. “He’s forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region after the other,” the Israeli premier said, as Israel’s military assault on Gaza continues to claim thousands of lives.
Over 57,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, according to the latest counts. In 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes in Gaza, including intentionally depriving civilians of essential supplies like food, water and medicine.
Israel’s war on Gaza has since expanded, drawing in Iran and the US.
Trump, meanwhile, has repeatedly taken credit for “peace deals” ranging from the Abraham Accords to ceasefires between Egypt and Ethiopia. Yet his current term has so far seen the continuation of the war in Ukraine, renewed tensions in the Middle East, and violent crackdowns on pro-Palestinian protesters and immigrants within the United States.
Naturally, when Netanyahu — currently facing international war crimes charges — nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, reactions on social media were swift and scathing.
“Netanyahu says he’s nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, then Trump says he’s sending more weapons to Ukraine. Lol,” one user quipped.
Another added, “We are now beyond tragedy, and well beyond farce.”
Many users pointed out the absurdity and cruelty of it all.
“A wanted war criminal is nominating the convicted felon for the Nobel Peace Prize!? Grotesque is the only word to describe it,” one person wrote. “Trump and Netanyahu are still trying to fool those stupid enough to believe them that they want peace.”
“Netanyahu announces he’s nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. For enabling Israel to start a war with Iran, and then bombing Iran himself? With that, we are officially through the looking glass,” another wrote.
“Netanyahu nominating Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize is like Benito Mussolini nominating Adolf Hitler for a Lifetime Achievement in Human Rights,” one post read. “Shameless, surreal, and an insult to the very concept of peace.”
The disillusionment was near-universal.
“You can’t bomb your way to peace just like Trump and Netanyahu can’t genocide their way to a Nobel Peace Prize,” said another post, summing up the mood.
Trump has been vocal about wanting the Nobel Peace Prize for years, previously complaining about being “snubbed” in comparison to former president Barack Obama.
In June, Pakistan announced it had decided to recommend nominating him after he helped de-escalate tensions with India, but despite that decision, no formal submission was made.
Netanyahu’s nomination, however, is official, and many are questioning the Nobel committee’s process itself.
“War criminal nominates convicted felon. I hope @NobelPrize committee stops this foolishness,” one post read.
“Let that sink in,” one user replied. “War criminal and genocide perpetrator Netanyahu has nominated his financier, Donald Trump, for the Nobel Peace Prize.”
Another post perhaps put it best: “The circus is in town.”
In an increasingly chaotic global political landscape, satire may not be dead, but it’s definitely been outpaced by reality.