U.S. President Donald Trump said today that he expects to visit Israel to receive the Israel Prize during the upcoming Independence Day ceremony in Jerusalem, confirming the planned trip in an interview with Channel 14. Asked whether he intends to arrive soon to accept the award, Trump responded: “Yes, it seems so.”

The visit would mark a rare moment in which a sitting or former U.S. president receives Israel’s highest civilian honor, elevating this year’s Independence Day ceremony into a major diplomatic and symbolic event. Israel’s Independence Day is one of the country’s central national holidays and traditionally includes a state ceremony in Jerusalem.

Israel decided to award Trump the Israel Prize in a special category recognizing his contribution to Israel and the Jewish people. He was informed of the decision during a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida in December, when Education Minister Yoav Kisch joined by phone and told him the prize committee had reached a “historical decision” to grant the honor. Trump responded at the time that it was a “great honor, really amazing being the first one outside of Israel,” but did not formally commit.

The initiative was later advanced by Kisch, who sent an official invitation to the White House approximately six weeks ago as preparations for the ceremony moved forward. With Trump now signaling he expects to attend, the event is taking shape as a high-profile international moment.

During the same interview, Trump sharply criticized President Isaac Herzog over his handling of Netanyahu’s trial, asking: “Won’t your weak president give him a pardon?” He claimed Herzog had previously indicated he would act, saying: “He told me many times, not just once, that he would give him a pardon, and he lied to me.” Trump added: “He is a weak and pathetic man. He is not a leader.” He further accused Herzog of using the issue as leverage, saying: “He is using the pardon issue and hanging it over Bibi’s head.”