TEL AVIV – President Donald Trump said he is looking forward to a “wonderful and productive” trip to Israel later this month during which the Iran threat will be discussed, the daily Israel Hayom reported.
“I am honored to accept the invitation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for my first visit to Israel as president, where we will emphasize the need to further strengthen the U.S.-Israeli partnership, which has been a great success for many years,” Trump said on Sunday.
“We will discuss a range of regional issues of mutual concern, including the need to counter the threats posed by Iran and its proxies, and by ISIS and by other terrorist groups. We will also discuss ways to advance a genuine and lasting peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians. I look forward to this wonderful and productive visit taking place later this month.”
Trump is scheduled to arrive in Israel on the morning of Monday, May 22 for a two-day visit. He will be arriving from Saudi Arabia.
His visit, in which he will be accompanied by his wife Melania, daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner, has prompted the Israeli police to launch a large-scale operation to ensure his security. Defense Secretary James Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and other senior U.S. officials are also set to accompany Trump on the trip. The U.S. delegation will occupy the King David Hotel in Jerusalem to capacity.
Some reports have said he will also visit Bethlehem in the West Bank to tour the Church of the Nativity and meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for the second time this month. The first meeting was in Washington on May 3.
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