Netanyahu Gifts U.S. President Golden Pager

Netanyahu Gifts Trump a Golden Pager in Symbolic Gesture

During a White House meeting on February 4, 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented former U.S. President Donald Trump with two pagers—one standard and one gold-plated. The unusual gift was reportedly a nod to a covert Israeli military operation in September 2024, in which explosive-laden communication devices were used against Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon. That operation resulted in significant casualties.

The golden pager, mounted on a wooden plaque, included an inscription that read: “To President Donald J. Trump, Our greatest friend and greatest ally. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.” A small plaque underneath also bore the words “Press With Both Hands,” though its meaning was left open to interpretation.

A spokesperson from Netanyahu’s office explained that the gift was intended to symbolize a major turning point in Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah, showcasing the country’s military and technological superiority. They further stated that the operation demonstrated Israel’s strategic capabilities in combating regional threats.

The meeting and symbolic gift underscore the continued close alliance between Israel and the U.S., particularly in matters of security and military cooperation. However, reactions to the gesture have been mixed, with critics questioning the appropriateness of gifting a device associated with a lethal operation.