Trump Invites «Netanyahu» to February Talks

Local Editor

US President Donald Trump on Sunday discussed Iran with Benjamin Netanyahu and invited the "Israeli" prime minister to visit the White House early next month.

The two leaders spoke by telephone and "agreed to continue to closely consult on a range of regional issues, including addressing the threats posed by Iran," the White House said in a statement, signaling the new administration's tougher line on Tehran.

The statement also said that Trump invited Netanyahu "to an early February meeting at the White House."

The "Israeli" entity approved hundreds of new settler units in east al-Quds [Jerusalem] Sunday hours before the telephone call, which an "Israeli" statement described as "very warm."

But a potentially explosive plan to annex a large West Bank "Israeli" settlement unilaterally was shelved until after Netanyahu and Trump meet.

"The prime minister expressed his desire to work closely with President Trump," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

During his campaign, Trump had pledged strong support for the "Israeli" entity and vowed to recognize al-Quds as the country's capital despite the city's contested status.

But the White House statement concerning the call did not mention Trump's suggestion to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to al-Quds - a transfer that would break with the consensus of the vast majority of the international community, which does not recognize al-Quds as the entity's capital.

On Sunday, the White House appeared to play down suggestions that a decision was imminent.

"We are at the very beginning stages of even discussing this subject," White House press secretary Sean Spicer told AFP.

Like other major powers, the US maintains its embassy in Tel Aviv pending a resolution to the "Israeli"-Palestinian conflict and al-Quds' status.

During the phone call on Sunday, Trump also stressed the need for direct talks between Palestinians and "Israelis".

"The president emphasized that ‘peace' between ‘Israel' and the Palestinians can only be negotiated directly between the two parties, and that the United States will work closely with Israel to make progress towards that goal," the White House said.

The US is the "Israeli" entity's most important ally, providing more than $3 billion a year in military aid, but former president Barack Obama grew frustrated with illegal "Israeli" settlement building.

He declined to veto a Dec. 23 UN Security Council resolution condemning settlements. Trump had called for the resolution to be vetoed.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team