US President Donald Trump on Sunday discussed Iran with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and invited him to visit the White House early next month.
Trump and Netanyahu spoke by telephone and “agreed to continue to closely consult on a range of regional issues, including addressing the threats posed by Iran,” the White House said in a statement.
The statement also said that Trump invited Netanyahu “to an early February meeting at the White House.”
The statement also described the telephone call as “very warm.”
For his part, Netanyahu “expressed his desire to work closely with President Trump,” the Israeli PM’s office said in a statement.
Trump has pledged strong support for the Israeli regime and vowed during his campaign to recognize al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the Zionist entity’s capital, a move which will anger Muslims and Arabs worldwide.
But the White House statement concerning the call did not mention Trump’s suggestion to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to al-Quds — a transfer that would break with the consensus of the vast majority of the international community.
The White House on Sunday appeared to play down suggestions that a decision was imminent.
“We are at the very beginning stages of even discussing this subject,” White House press secretary Sean Spicer told AFP.
During the phone call on Sunday, Trump also stressed the need for direct talks between Palestinians and Israelis.
“The president emphasized that peace between Israel and the Palestinians can only be negotiated directly between the two parties, and that the United States will work closely with Israel to make progress towards that goal,” the White House said.
In an initial move following Trump’s inauguration, Israeli officials on Sunday approved building permits for 566 settler homes in annexed east al-Quds.
“The rules of the game have changed with Donald Trump’s arrival as president,” Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Meir Turjeman told AFP.
“We no longer have our hands tied as in the time of Barack Obama. Now we can finally build.”
The Palestinian presidency condemned the move, calling it a violation of a December 23 UN Security Council resolution condemning settlements.
Source: Agencies
