Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu Have 'Very Nice' Conversation; Will US Move Embassy To Jerusalem?

UPDATE: 5:35 p.m. EST — The White House issued a readout of the call between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It made no mention of moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem but said Trump had invited Netanyahu to visit the White House next month.

President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke today by phone to discuss ways to advance and strengthen the U.S.-Israel special relationship, and security and stability in the Middle East. The President emphasized the importance the United States places on our close military, intelligence, and security cooperation with Israel, which reflects the deep and abiding partnership between our countries. The President and the Prime Minister agreed to continue to closely consult on a range of regional issues, including addressing the threats posed by Iran. The President affirmed his unprecedented commitment to Israel's security and stressed that countering ISIL and other radical Islamic terrorist groups will be a priority for his Administration. 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 President invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to an early February meeting at the White House.

Original story

U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday he had a “very nice” phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shortly after his spokesman said the administration is in the early stages of assessing a move of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Netanyahu had a contentious relationship with former President Barack Obama, which culminated in Obama’s decision not to veto a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Trump described his conversation with Netanyahu as “very nice” when asked by reporters following a swearing in ceremony of his top White House advisers, Reuters reported. The conversation lasted 30 minutes, the Jerusalem Post said.

Before the call, Netanyahu told his Cabinet he would discuss the threat Iran poses, as well as the Palestinian issue and Syria. Haaretz reported Friday Israeli intelligence agencies have warned Netanyahu against pushing Trump to tear up the Iran nuclear deal.

Earlier, White House press secretary Sean Spicer issued a statement saying the administration is in “the very beginning stages” of discussing a possible move of the U.S. Embassy, something Trump pledged to do during the election campaign.

Senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway has said the possible move is a top priority for the new administration.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat welcomed the possibility, saying it would send “a clear message to the world that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel.”

Moving the embassy likely would spark protests from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and other U.S. allies in the Middle East, which could complicate the fight against the Islamic State group.

Congress approved a law in 1995 describing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel but successive presidents have declined to move the embassy.

CNN reported earlier this month the new administration has informed regional allies it plans to move ahead with the relocation, possibly as soon as May 24, Jerusalem Day, which marks the Israeli reunification of the capital during the 1967 Six Day War.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has sent a letter to Trump warning against the move, saying it would be destructive to the peace process.

David Friedman, Trump’s choice as U.S. ambassador to Israel, is a strong supporter of moving the embassy. Short of a move, however, it has been suggested Friedman could work out of the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem as an interim step.