Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised President Trump on Tuesday during his speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee for the president’s decision to formally recognize Jerusalem as his nation’s capital.
“It is always great to be here, but as I told President Trump yesterday, it’s especially great to be in America’s capital now that he has recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital,” Netanyahu told the crowd at AIPAC. “Thank you, President Trump, for that historic decision.”
“Thank you, America. Thank you, success of American presidents,” the Israeli prime minister said. “Thank you, Congress, Republicans and Democrats alike.”
Netanyahu met with Trump on Monday at the White House and the two addressed issues including the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, Iran, and the Middle East peace plan.
“It’s always a pleasure to see you … but this is the first time we meet in Washington — America’s capital — after you declared, Mr. President, Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. And this was a historic proclamation followed by your bold decision to move the embassy by our upcoming National Independence Day,” Netanyahu said to Trump Monday.
Israel will celebrate 70 years of independence this year, and the ceremony marking the formal move of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem will be held in May.
Trump announced last December that the U.S. would formally recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move their embassy to the city. Although Netanyahu received a warm welcome in the U.S., he is embroiled in controversy back in his home state of Israel over allegations of bribery and misconduct.
