From War Criminal to Peace Laureate: How Trump and Netanyahu Are Rewriting the Rules of History

Daily News Egypt

13 hours ago

They say history is written by the victors — but in today's world, it is not merely written. It is manufactured, weaponised, and imposed, shaped by tyranny and the cold logic of power. After the 12-day war that pitted Iran against Israel and the United States, all three emerged claiming victory, as though the real loser was the one who had not even taken part.
In reality, only one man could claim victory with impunity — and do so effortlessly. In a swift, Hollywood-style assault that lasted barely two hours and shed not a drop of American blood, he declared the conflict over, ordering both sides to stand down. That man was US President Donald Trump.
A businessman before he was a politician, Trump understands better than most how to monetise a moment. He quickly sought to turn this questionable 'victory' — contradicted by several US intelligence assessments — into a strategic opportunity to tackle a host of unresolved regional crises: ending the war in Gaza, proposing a reimagined two-state solution shaped by the post–October 7 realities, and expanding the Abraham Accords to include Saudi Arabia and Syria, a vision he had first pursued in the twilight of his first White House term.
What followed was the continuation of Trump's made-for-television approach to diplomacy — closing wars with spectacle and cutting deals with flair. It began with a tweet, or rather, a lifeline masquerading as diplomacy — a real-world illustration of Dostoevsky's famous line from The Brothers Karamazov: 'If God does not exist, everything is permitted — even the greatest of crimes.'
Trump publicly called for the pardon of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding an end to his ongoing corruption trials. On Truth Social, he wrote:
'Netanyahu is enduring a tragedy. This is the first time a sitting Israeli Prime Minister has been prosecuted. It's a politically motivated case involving cigars, a Bugs Bunny doll, and other unfair charges. He deserves much better. His trial must be canceled immediately, or he should be granted a pardon. A great hero. It was America that saved Israel — and now it must save Netanyahu.'
The post sent shockwaves through Israeli society. Writers, legal experts, and political figures condemned it as an unprecedented and shameless interference in the domestic affairs of a democratic ally. Yet over time, it became evident that this was no mere outburst — it was part of a larger deal. In exchange for Trump's political and rhetorical support, Netanyahu would accelerate peace overtures and regional normalisation. In return, Trump would gain a powerful platform for his long-coveted Nobel Peace Prize — an ambition reignited as he eyes a return to the presidency.
Israeli media soon reported that a consensus was forming around a new framework to end the Gaza war. It included: a ceasefire within two weeks; the handover of Gaza's administration to a coalition of four Arab states (including Egypt and the UAE); Hamas leaders being exiled abroad; the release of hostages; the option for third countries to receive Gazans seeking emigration; and formal recognition of Israel by Saudi Arabia, Syria, and other Arab and Muslim nations. In return, Tel Aviv would signal readiness to pursue a two-state solution under a new framework, and the US would recognise limited Israeli sovereignty over parts of the West Bank.
To many in Israel, Netanyahu remains a national hero — the leader who struck Hezbollah, dismantled Iranian proxy networks, and now aims to defeat Hamas. But one thread binds Netanyahu and Trump to the region's current state of peril: both played central roles in bringing Iran closer than ever to building its first nuclear bomb.
The nuclear deal signed with President Barack Obama — despite its shortcomings — had, according to global intelligence assessments (including Israel's Mossad), successfully curbed Iran's weapons programme. But when Trump took office, Netanyahu persuaded him to unilaterally abandon the agreement. Israeli defence officials warned this would remove vital restrictions on Tehran's programme, and history proved them right. By the eve of the latest Israeli strikes, Iran was reportedly just 18 days away from assembling its first nuclear bomb — a direct consequence of the 2018 withdrawal.
Now, it seems Trump and Netanyahu are attempting to turn that crisis into a historic opportunity. Their shared objective: repackage the Iranian threat within a broader regional realignment. The proposed deal would see Iran halt its regional interference and uranium enrichment in exchange for broader Arab-Israeli normalisation and a gradual end to the Gaza war.
As part of this broader understanding, Netanyahu is expected to pursue peace talks with Saudi Arabia — and possibly Lebanon and Syria — and then call early elections to consolidate his domestic mandate. For both Trump and Netanyahu, the ultimate prize would not just be regional transformation, but a joint bid for the Nobel Peace Prize — a shield of legitimacy for one man facing political extinction, and another facing trial for war crimes.
But such a spectacle raises grave ethical and political questions. Can mass civilian deaths be whitewashed by a diplomatic handshake? Can war crimes be erased by a peace deal signed under coercion? Is the Nobel Prize now just another trophy in a transactional world where justice is deferred, and memory is rewritten?
For those watching from the Middle East, the danger lies not only in the ambitions of these two men, but in the world's willingness to play along.
Dr. Hatem Sadek – Professor at Helwan University