Netanyahu congratulates Trump, a 'true friend' of Israel

Israeli Education Minister said Wednesday the idea of a Palestinian state was over after Donald Trump's election


Afp November 09, 2016
PHOTO: REUTERS

JERUSALEM:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Donald Trump on his election as US president on Wednesday and called him "a true friend of the state of Israel."


"President-elect Trump is a true friend of the state of Israel, and I look forward to working with him to advance security, stability and peace in our region," the right-wing premier said in a statement.


"The ironclad bond between the United States and Israel is rooted in shared values, buttressed by shared interests and driven by a shareddestiny.


Palestinians urge Trump to work towards their state

"I am confident that president-elect Trump and I will continue to strengthen the unique alliance between our two countries and bring it to ever greater heights."


Israel minister says Palestinian state over after Trump win


Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett said Wednesday the idea of a Palestinian state was over after Donald Trump's election as US president, calling for an end to what has been the basis of years of negotiations.

"Trump's victory is an opportunity for Israel to immediately retract the notion of a Palestinian state in the centre of the country, which would hurt our security and just cause," Bennett, who heads the hardline Jewish Home party, said in an apparent reference to the occupied West Bank.

"This is the position of the president-elect ... The era of a Palestinian state is over."

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, also of Jewish Home, called on Trump to follow through on his promise to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, in a break with the consistent policy of successive administrations, Republican as well as Democrat.

Israel slams UNESCO over 'Occupied Jerusalem'

Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely, from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party, also called for the embassy to be moved, as did Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

The status of Jerusalem is one of the most difficult issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.The Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, while the Israelis call the entire city their eternal indivisible capital. Trump has pledged to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

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