Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stayed in New York city following the United Nations General Assembly for meetings with world leaders, met separately with the candidates for US president, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
Republican candidate Trump wrote on Facebook afterward his meeting with the Israeli leader that if elected president, he would recognize a united Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Trump wrote that the Israeli people wanted peace with their Arab neighbors but that peace would only be achieved after the Palestinians stopped their hatred and violence and accepted Israel as a Jewish state.
In his meeting with the Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton, Netanyahu clarified Israel’s position on regional issues relating to its security. Clinton told Netanyahu that a strong and secure Israel was vital for the United States and reiterated her support for the defense aid agreement signed between the Washington and Jerusalem, which is meant to assure Israel’s military qualitative edge in the chaotic Middle East.