The former secretary of state gave her backing to the recently signed $38b. military aid package, and pledged to take the bilateral relationship “to the next level”, as her Republican rival Donald Trump also did earlier in the day during his sit-down with the prime minister.
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Ron Dermer, Israel’s ambassador to the USA, and Jared Kushner, Trump’s advisor and son-in-law were also present during the 90 minute meeting. During his own meeting with Netanyahu Sunday, Trump offered to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem to make it clear that the U.S. recognizes Israel’s capital.
In a campaign statement the White House hopeful stressed “overarching strategic interests” between the two countries and affirmed her support for a robust military aid deal the U.S. recently promised Israel.
A statement issued by the Trump campaign’s press office said that the GOP candidate “acknowledged that Jerusalem has been the eternal capital of the Jewish People for over 3,000 years”.
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday as the presidential candidates brush up on foreign policy hours before their debate.
Alongside stating her commitment to “Israel’s future as a secure and democratic Jewish state”, she said a solution to the conflict must be found that “provides the Palestinians with independence, sovereignty and dignity”.
In keeping with Trump’s repeated promises to build a wall along the US-Mexico border, the two also “discussed at length Israel’s successful experience with a security fence that helped secure its borders”.
Reporters were barred from covering the meeting.
The Republican nominee also said he would recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital and described American defense assistance to Israel as an “excellent investment for America”.
Clinton’s meeting with Netanyahu was brief.
The pair discussed a number of regional issues, including the Iran nuclear deal and the ongoing civil war in Syria.
“Mr. Trump recognized that Israel and its citizens have suffered far too long on the front lines of Islamic terrorism”, the campaign also said after the meeting.
Trump’s campaign said the men, who have known each other for years, discussed “many topics important to both countries, ” including “the special relationship between America and Israel and the unbreakable bond between the two countries”.
The statement underscored that the two nations would work in tandem to “enforce and implement the nuclear deal with Iran”, US President Barack Obama’s signature diplomatic initiative, which Israel has fiercely opposed.
Both candidates are expected to use their respective meeting with the Israeli leader to boast of their foreign policy chops.
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While Israel calls Jerusalem its capital, few other countries accept that, including the United States.
