Israel asks Lithuanian parliament speaker to sign Trump’s Nobel nomination

VILNIUS, Lithuania (MNTV) — Israel sent a request to the Lithuanian Parliament urging lawmakers to nominate U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, according to public broadcaster LRT.

Parliament Speaker Juozas Olekas declined to sign.

The letter, initiated by the speakers of the Knesset and U.S. House of Representatives, praised Trump as a “defender of peace” committed to dialogue, diplomacy and global leadership, crediting him with contributing to the resolution of eight conflicts.

Trump has repeatedly stated that he believes he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for the “eight and a quarter wars” he said he stopped.

The Parliament Chancellery told LRT the appeal was received Jan. 22 and forwarded to the speaker’s office.

Olekas decided not to sign the document, though he indicated a final decision has not been made.

“No decision on signing has been taken. We will consult with other regional parliamentarians, and then we will decide. A Lithuanian decision will be made after consulting our closest partners,” Olekas said.

In contrast, Latvian Parliament Speaker Daiga Mieriņa signed the appeal, prompting criticism at home for what opponents described as a unilateral move. Hungary’s Parliament Speaker László Kövér also signed.

Last year’s laureate, Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado, said she gifted her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump at the White House on Jan. 16. Nobel Prize organizers have said a Peace Prize cannot be withdrawn, transferred or shared once announced.