In December, Trump reversed decades of US policy to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu termed the decision “historic” during his meeting with US president on Monday.
US President Donald Trump on Monday said he might travel to Israel to attend the opening ceremony of a new US Embassy in Jerusalem.
Trump made the statement during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office.
“We’re looking at coming,” Trump said. “If I can, I will.”
Netanyahu heralded Trump’s decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem.
“This will be remembered by our people through the ages,” Netanyahu said during brief remarks.
Iran dominates talks
Trump’s push to modify or scrap Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal and concerns over Tehran’s growing foothold in Syria featured prominently during the talks.
“If I had to say what is our greatest challenge in the Middle East to both our countries, to our Arab neighbors, it’s encapsulated in one word: Iran,” Netanyahu said. “Iran must be stopped. That is our common challenge.”
Netanyahu is in Washington for the annual conference of AIPAC, the powerful pro-Israel lobby, and is due to speak at the conference later in the week.
Top-ranking US officials including Vice President Mike Pence and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley will also address the conference.
The meeting also provides a chance for Netanyahu to steer away from corruption investigations in Israel and towards his biggest foreign policy priority, combatting Iran.