We love Israel, says Trump

Iran must never be allowed to have nuclear weapons;

becomes first US president to visit Western Wall

JERUSALEM: US President Donald Trump touched down in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Monday for the second leg of his first foreign trip as president, saying "we love Israel" and calling for a renewed partnership in the fight against terrorism. "On my first trip overseas as president, I have come to this sacred and ancient land to reaffirm the unbreakable bond between the United States and the State of Israel," Trump said.

Israel has built one of the world’s great civilizations, Trump said, calling it determined and prosperous. "Now, let us work together to build a future where the nations of the region are at peace and all of our children can grow and grow up strong and grow up free from terrorism and violence," he said. "During my travels in recent days, I have found new reasons for hope," he said.

Trump touted "historic agreements" during his visit in Saudi Arabia to help battle terrorism. "We have before us a rare opportunity to bring security and stability and peace to this region and to its people, defeating terrorism and creating a future of harmony, prosperity and peace, but we can only get there working together," he said. "There is no other way… We love Israel, we respect Israel and I send your people the warmest greetings from your friend and ally, all of the people in the United States of America. We are with you," he said.

After a dismal relationship with Barack Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looked at the incoming Trump administration as an opportunity to reset. The greeting comes after a series of rocky moments in the US-Israeli relationship leading up to the trip, however, when mixed messaging came out of the White House over whether the Western Wall was truly part of Israel. While UN Ambassador Nikki Haley said she felt it was, National Security Adviser HR McMaster would not say so.

Trump said Iran must never be allowed to have nuclear weapons while also denouncing Tehran’s support for "terrorists". "Most importantly the United States and Israel can declare with one voice thatIran must never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon -- never ever -- and must cease its deadly funding, training and equipping of terrorists and militias," Trump said in remarks at Israeli President Reuven Rivlin´s residence.

"And it must cease immediately," he said. Trump´s remarks were his latest salvo against Iran since starting his first foreign trip after taking office.

On the first leg of his trip in Saudi Arabia, Trump lashed out at Iran, accusing it of fuelling "the fires of sectarian conflict and terror" and calling for its international isolation. 

Meanwhile, Donald Trump became the first sitting US president to visit the Western Wall in the disputed city of Jerusalem, placing his hand on one of the most sacred sites in Judaism.

The Western Wall is the holiest site where Jews can pray. Trump, wearing a black skullcap, paused in front of it, then placed what appeared to be a written prayer or note between its stones, as is custom. He was not accompanied by any Israeli leaders during the hugely symbolic visit.

Allowing them to do so could have led to accusations that Washington was implicitly recognising Israel´s unilateral claim of sovereignty over the site, which would break with years of US and international precedent. Security was tight, with the usually bustling Old City, where the Western Wall is located, essentially on lock down and the plaza leading to the site cleared.

Trump was accompanied by the Western Wall´s rabbi, Shmuel Rabinovitz, during the visit. Trump´s daughter Ivanka, who converted to Judaism and is married to one of the president´s top aides, Jared Kushner, also visited the women´s side of the wall. Trump, who is Protestant, is the first US president to have Jewish members of his immediate family.

Under strict interpretation of Jewish law, men and women must pray separately there. The rule has been repeatedly challenged by progressive Jewish movements seeking equal prayer rights.

The Western Wall is the last remnant of the supporting wall of the second Jewish temple, built by King Herod and destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. It is situated below the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam´s third-holiest site, referred to by Jews as the Temple Mount and considered their holiest.

The visit to the Western Wall drew controversy before Trump even left Washington, when US officials declined to say whether it belonged to Israel. The status of Jerusalem is ultra-sensitive and has been among the most difficult issues in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Israel occupied east Jerusalem, where the Western Wall is located, and the West Bank in 1967 in moves never recognised by the international community.

1. It later annexed east Jerusalem and claims the entire city as its capital. The Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. The traditional US position has been that Jerusalem´s status must be negotiated between the two sides.