During his address to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, President Donald Trump praised the recent Gaza ceasefire agreement, recognizing the contributions of American diplomats, generals, and regional partners involved in its establishment.
Trump took a moment to acknowledge Miriam Adelson, a prominent pro-Israel mega-donor, highlighting her significant financial support and unwavering devotion to Israel, stating that she has ‘$60bn in her account.’
In a lighthearted tone, he remarked, ‘Look at her sitting there so innocently,’ before joking, ‘I’m going to get her in trouble with this — but I actually asked her once, “So Miriam: I know you love Israel. What do you love more, the United States or Israel?” She refused to answer. That means that might be an issue, I must say,’ eliciting laughter from the audience.
Miriam Adelson, known for her significant donations to political causes, previously contributed $106m to Preserve America, a pro-Trump super PAC that played a crucial role in Trump’s 2020 election campaign.
Seated in the gallery at the Knesset, she received a standing ovation from attendees as Trump commended her dedication to Israel, noting her frequent visits to the White House.
Born in Tel Aviv in 1945 to Polish immigrant parents, Adelson began her career as a physician specializing in addiction treatment.
In 1991, she married casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who established the Las Vegas Sands, a major casino and resort business.
Upon her husband’s passing in 2021, she assumed majority control of Las Vegas Sands, which operates prominent casinos in Singapore and Macao.
Under the Adelsons’ influence, significant financial resources have flowed into Republican campaigns, as they have emerged as key supporters of the party and pro-Israel candidates.
Their financial contributions to Trump’s three presidential campaigns exceeded $600m since 2015, reflecting their commitment to Republican ideologies.
The family sold their famous Las Vegas Strip properties, including the Venetian resort, for $6.25bn in 2022, marking a notable shift in their business strategy.
In 2023, Miriam Adelson expanded her portfolio, acquiring majority ownership of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team.
Trump, during his presidency, frequently shared anecdotes about the Adelsons’ visits to the Oval Office, emphasizing their push for pro-Israel policies.
‘No one visited the White House more than Miriam and Sheldon,’ he reiterated in his Knesset speech.
Miriam Adelson’s remarks have garnered attention, especially after the October 7 attacks, leading her to call for the dismissal of Israel’s critics globally in a column for Israel Hayom, a newspaper she owns.
She referred to critics as ‘foreign fans of Hamas’ and described them as ‘enemies’ of Israel, advocating for a stronger stance against those perceived as threats to the nation.
The Adelsons played a pivotal role in influencing Trump’s policies concerning Israel, including the relocation of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2016 and the recognition of Israeli control over the Golan Heights.
In acknowledgment of her efforts and contributions, Trump awarded Miriam the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018.
At a recent campaign event, she urged Jewish voters to fulfill a ‘sacred duty’ to support Trump, expressing gratitude for his administration’s accomplishments and confidence in his future endeavors.
image source from：aljazeera
