Two senior-level sources tell ABC News that Republican candidate Donald Trump was to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu this morning at Trump Tower.
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The United States – and most other UN member countries – do not recognise the annexation and consider Jerusalem’s final status to be a key issue to be resolved in peace negotiations with the Palestinians.
US Secretary of State John Kerry reportedly let his frustration and pique show when he addressed a meeting in NY of representatives of nations who donate to the Palestinian Authority.
Netanyahu and Obama met Wednesday night following the U.N. General Assembly, in what was likely their last meeting with Obama as commander-in-chief. “The campaign said they also discussed Israel’s experience with the security fence” used to wall off Israel from the West Bank.
Trump’s campaign confirmed his plans to meet with Netanyahu but did not immediately comment on what the two intend to discuss. Clinton’s campaign later also confirmed her plans.
The Trump campaign statement said during the meeting, “Trump agreed that the military assistance provided to Israel and missile defense cooperation with Israel are an excellent investment for America”, amid the backdrop of speculation that Trump would support cutting USA military aid to Israel.
According to the campaign statement, Trump promises to recognize Jerusalem as “the undivided capital of the State of Israel”, as he has for months now.
Following Netanyahu’s meeting later Sunday with Clinton, the Israeli premier will have met with the two major party candidates, as well as President Obama in just the last few days..
Netanyahu’s bureau has released a statement about his meeting with Trump, saying he “thanked Mr. Trump for his friendship and support of Israel”. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told reporters on Saturday that he hopes this is not the case and called on Obama not to force a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Israel before he leaves office.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz first reported that Netanyahu was meeting with Trump and Clinton.
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During the 2012 race for the White House, US officials criticised Netanyahu over his perceived support for Republican candidate Mitt Romney.
