Trump floats trip to opening of US’s Jerusalem embassy

Donald Trump has declared he wants to attend the opening of the new US embassy in Jerusalem.

Donald Trump welcomes Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House.

Donald Trump has declared he wants to attend the opening of the new US embassy in Jerusalem as he embraced troubled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House yesterday.

Mr Netanhayu’s visit comes amid escalating corruption scandals but the US President made no mention of his friend’s problems. “We have probably the best relationship right now with Israel that we’ve ever had,” he said.

Mr Trump was proud of his decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv to recognise the city as Israel’s capital.

“Jerusalem was a wonderful thing and I know it was very much appreciated in a big part of the world, not just in Israel,” he said. “Many presidents ... were never able to do what they should have done ... So I was able to do it.”

The decision was criticised by Arab countries and Palestinians, who broke off peace talks. The Palestinians say the recognition shows an Israeli bias by the US in negotiations over the city.

Mr Trump said he would like to attend the opening of the embassy in Jerusalem in May. “We’re looking at coming,” he said. “If I can, I will.”

Mr Netanyahu said the decision was a historic moment. “Mr President, this will be remembered by our people through the ages,” he said. “As you just said, others talked about it, you did it. So I want to thank you on behalf of the people of Israel.”

Mr Trump claimed the Jerusalem decision would boost prospects of a peace deal. “The biggest difficulty that anybody has had — you look over 25 years — nobody could get past, number one, Jerusalem,” Mr Trump said.

“They couldn’t get past it. We’ve taken it off the table. So this gives us a real opportunity to peace ... the Palestinians, I think, are wanting to come back to the table very badly.”

The White House has yet to unveil its peace plan. Jared Kushner, the President’s son-in law and adviser, is supposed to produce the blueprint but has been undermined since he lost his top-secret security clearance last month.

Mr Netanyahu’s visit came after he and his wife Sara were questioned separately by police for hours last week in a pending corruption case. Just before meeting with Mr Trump yesterday, Israel police announced that a Netanyahu confidant had agreed to turn state’s witness.

The Prime Minister used the visit to underline his country’s alarm about the behaviour of Iran, describing it a “the greatest challenge” facing Israel and the US in the Middle East.