Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departs after meeting with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump at Trump Tower in New York, U.S. September 25, 2016. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
By Alana Wise
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Sunday told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that if elected, the United States would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the campaign said, marking a potential dramatic shift in U.S. policy.
During the meeting that lasted more than an hour at Trump Tower in New York, Trump told Netanyahu that under his administration, the United States would “recognize Jerusalem as the undivided capital of the State of Israel.”
While Israel calls Jerusalem its capital, few other countries accept that, including the United States. Most nations maintain embassies in Tel Aviv.
Palestinians want East Jerusalem, captured by Israel in a 1967 war, as capital of the state they aim to establish alongside Israel in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu held a separate meeting later on Sunday that lasted just under an hour with Democrat Hillary Clinton, Trump’s rival in the Nov. 8 U.S. election.
Clinton emphasized her commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship and her plan to take the relationship to the next level, according to a statement from her campaign.
She also talked about her commitment to a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict “that guarantees Israel’s future as a secure and democratic Jewish state with recognized borders and provides the Palestinians with independence, sovereignty, and dignity,” according to the statement.
“Secretary Clinton reaffirmed her opposition to any attempt by outside parties to impose a solution, including by the U.N. Security Council,” the statement said.
During the meeting with Trump, the Republican candidate’s campaign said he agreed with Netanyahu that peace in the Middle East could only be achieved when “the Palestinians renounce hatred and violence and accept Israel as a Jewish State.”
The Trump campaign said he and Netanyahu discussed “at length” Israel’s border fence, cited by Trump in reference to his own controversial immigration policies, which include building a wall on the U.S.- Mexico border and temporarily banning Muslims from entering the country.
Other regional issues, including the fight against Islamic State, U.S. military assistance to Israel – “an excellent investment” – and the Iran nuclear deal, which both parties have criticized, were also discussed.
(Additional reporting by Michelle Conlin in New York and Caren Bohan in Washington; Editing by Bill Trott and Sandra Maler)
Just watched the debate. For 90 minutes Hillary bashed him. She talks quicker than him; she has either been coached by Obama or by his coach (count the ah-hs and the ummms – listen to the inflections) and the monitor never asked her one incriminating question while he asked Trump one after another. Trump had to use all his time defending himself not only from her but also from the monitor! Then I saw this story from the Jim Bakker Show in my email and I said, Yes! None of it matters to God and it all fades away because Trump stands for Israel and he stands for Jerusalem. If Trump becomes President or not, he is still the winner! Glory, glory, glory to God in heaven above! Hallelujah!
All the Morningside Family please pray for Donald Trump and his family’s safety and covering by the Father as he is exposed to evil incarnate during these next pre-election days. Protection and favour during these “debates” and that the “on the fence people” will see the truth of what he says!
I agree with Donald Trump. If we don’t stand and defend Isreal, there will be negative spiritual backlash on us. Why can’t people see that? Even if they just refer to the bible as history it tells what happened to other countries that rivaled against Israel. Not supporting them is the same as going against them. We need to revere our God with fear knowing His past rebuke on opposing nations. There is no fence to walk on concerning our decision to follow Jesus Christ. The real question is do we want Jehovah to bless us or curse us? History shows when we supported Israel’s interest, God blessed our nation. When we turn our back on Isreal God turns His back on us. Our country has not been blessed since we have not supported Isreal. I don’t understand. We go into Korea and Iraq and Kuwait to defend their people’s n land. Why is Isreal different? It isn’t. The threat to us is the same. Not supporting Isreal has brought the threat into our nation. Pray Pray Pray for God to put Trump in the White House!