Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu behind closed doors, a day before the candidates are set to face off head to head for a debate in Long Island.
After Trump’s meeting in Trump Tower lasted more than an hour and Clinton’s meeting at the W Hotel in Manhattan last about 50 minutes:
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Clinton stressed she’s Against UN Imposing Solution to Israeli-Palestinian Conflict “including by the UN Security Council, ” according to a statement released by her campaign. she added ‘strong and secure’ Israel is vital to U.S. She further reaffirmed her commitment to a two-state solution negotiated directly by the parties.
She also “reaffirmed her unwavering commitment” to the U.S.-Israel relationship and stressed her support for the new military aid agreement reached earlier in September and her commitment to countering efforts to boycott Israel.
The Prime Minister’s Office said that “Netanyahu presented to Mrs. Clinton Israel’s position on regional issues related to the security of Israel and its efforts to achieve peace and stability in our region.” It also said that “Netanyahu thanked Mrs. Clinton for the friendship and support for Israel.” The meeting was attended Israel’s ambassador to the US, Ron Dermer, and Clinton’s senior adviser, Jake Sullivan.
Clinton vowed to enforce the Iran nuclear agreement and help defend Israel’s security. Eearlier this month the former secretary of state suggested in an interview with Israel’s Channel 2 that the ISIS was “rooting for Donald Trump’s victory” and he had helped strengthen the hands of extremists by his provocative statements about Muslims.
Trump’s campaign said in a statement that the two discussed “many topics important to both countries, ” including “the special relationship between America and Israel and the unbreakable bond between the two countries.”
“Trump recognized that Israel and its citizens have suffered far too long on the front lines of Islamic terrorism, ” the campaign said in a statement. “He agreed with Prime Minister Netanyahu that the Israeli people want a just and lasting peace with their neighbors, but that peace will only come when the Palestinians renounce hatred and violence and accept Israel as a Jewish State.
“Mr. Trump acknowledged that Jerusalem has been the eternal capital of the Jewish People for over 3000 years, and that the United States, under a Trump administration, will finally accept the long-standing Congressional mandate to recognize Jerusalem as the undivided capital of the State of Israel, ” the campaign said.
Earlier this year Trump has been a fierce critic of the Iran nuclear agreement and promised during a speech to AIPAC that the days of “treating Israel like a second-class citizen will end on day one.” But he also raised eyebrows when he questioned Israel’s commitment to a peace deal last year and said he didn’t want to show any bias in favor of one side or the other.
AP, Ynet News contributed to this report
