In a symbolic and controversial gesture, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented U.S. President Donald Trump with a gold-plated pager during his visit to Washington, D.C., this week.
The gift came as Trump shocked the world by declaring that the United States would seize and “own” Gaza, a plan that would involve the forced displacement of 2 million Palestinians. The announcement, which further alienated several U.S. allies, followed 15 months of Israeli military operations that have killed at least 60,000 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children.
Sinister Symbol
Netanyahu’s office described the golden pager as a tribute to “Israel’s resilience”, portraying it as a symbol of past military successes. However, the historical weight of the gift carries far darker implications.
Last September, Israel orchestrated a series of coordinated attacks in Lebanon and Syria using booby-trapped electronic devices. On Sept. 17, thousands of pagers detonated simultaneously, followed by the explosion of hundreds of walkie-talkies on Sept. 18. The attacks killed at least 42 people, including 12 civilians, and injured more than 3,500. The operation, carried out by Israeli intelligence, marked one of the most brutal escalations in the region.
“This is not just a historical keepsake—it’s a celebration of occupation and destruction,” said Dr. Tariq Rahman, a political analyst. “Netanyahu is effectively commemorating one of Israel’s most calculated battlefield tactics while his government wages fresh attacks in Lebanon.”
The pager attacks were notorious for their use in Israeli military operations in Lebanon, often serving as deadly traps that targeted people moments before airstrikes. Human rights organizations have long condemned such heinous tactics as violations of international law.
“Gifting Trump a gold-plated version of this device is beyond grotesque,” said Sarah Klein, a human rights lawyer. “It’s a barbaric reminder that Israel doesn’t just wage war with bombs—it weaponizes terror in every form imaginable.”
Excess and Aggression
Trump’s penchant for gold-plated objects has long been a defining trait, from his gilded New York penthouse to the gold-plated décor of his private properties. The golden pager now joins his collection, but unlike his other displays of excess, this item carries a bloodstained legacy.
“Trump may see it as another flashy trophy, but this is no ordinary piece of memorabilia,” said Dr. Amir Khalidi, a professor of Middle Eastern Studies. “This is an instrument of war, a symbol of forced displacement, now repackaged as a tribute.”
Netanyahu’s gift underscores Trump’s role as an unwavering ally of Israel’s military policies. During his first term, Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, slashed aid to Palestinian refugees, and sidelined Palestinian rights.
“Netanyahu’s message is clear: Trump’s support for Israeli militarism is not just remembered—it’s honored,” said Dr. Yasmeen Al-Sayed, a historian specializing in Middle Eastern conflicts.
Netanyahu’s visit to Washington was strategically timed as his government faces mounting international scrutiny over its military operations. Meeting with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders, Netanyahu aimed to shore up U.S. backing while blocking diplomatic efforts to hold Israel accountable at international forums.
Meanwhile, as Netanyahu courted Trump’s political circle, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon intensified. The latest wave of bombings, which Israel claims target Hezbollah positions, has resulted in rising civilian casualties.
“The irony of Netanyahu handing Trump a golden pager while his military drops bombs on Lebanese towns is staggering,” said Al-Sayed. “It’s a chilling reminder that for Israel, war is not just policy—it’s legacy.”
Backlash from Anti-Genocide Advocates
The golden pager has sparked widespread condemnation, particularly from anti-genocide voices and human rights activists who see it as a grotesque glorification of Israeli military tactics.
“This is a state that has perfected the art of military occupation, and now it’s turning war memorabilia into diplomatic gifts,” said Dr. Rami Jaber, a genocide studies scholar. “It’s an explicit statement: Israel’s past violence is its present policy, and it has no intention of changing course.”
Others have pointed out the timing of the gift, given the rising death toll in Lebanon.
“While families bury their dead, Netanyahu is in Washington handing out gold-plated war relics,” said Klein. “It’s beyond tone-deaf; it’s monstrous.”
Netanyahu’s office has yet to respond to the criticism, maintaining that the gift was intended to “honor Israel’s security forces.” But for those on the receiving end of Israeli airstrikes, the message is unmistakable: war is not just policy—it’s a legacy to be celebrated.