Netanyahu, Trump meeting strengthens US-Israeli stance against Iran

APD NEWS

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US President Donald Trump at the White House early Monday afternoon to discuss strengthening ties between the two countries against Iran.

The main focus for both Netanyahu and Trump is to set up a unified front against Iran in order to bring peace and stability to the Middle East. The meeting also proved a chance for Netanyahu to distract domestic media attention from the recent corruption scandal going on back at home and for the Trump administration to redirect attention away from the resignation of several close aides due to investigations into Russia's interference in the 2016 election.

Iran has long been regarded as “the biggest threat” towards peace and security in the Middle East. One of the most pressing issues for both leaders during the meeting was toughening up the Iranian nuclear deal. Since the beginning of Trump's campaign, he has complained about the deal, describing it as disastrous to the US and wanted to scrap the agreement. Since taking office, Trump has introduced further sanctions on Iran and threatened to completely terminate the deal "If the flaws of the nuclear deal are not fixed".

US President Donald Trump holds a cabinet meeting at the White House on January 10, 2018.

Another focus of Netanyahu and Trump's meeting is the opening of a new US Embassy in Jerusalem. This came after President Trump made the controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem will increase tension between Israel and its neighboring region of Palestine. Netanyahu thanked Trump for the recognition as he was previously frustrated by the Obama administration which held a relatively pro-Palestine stance.

During the meeting, Netanyahu continued to commend Trump's advocacy towards Israel and governance of the US: “Under your leadership, it’s never been stronger, and the people of Israel see your position on Jerusalem, they see your position on Iran. They see your magnificent defense of Israel and the truth in the United Nations.”

US President Donald Trump delivers a statement which recognizes Jerusalemto be the capital of Israel, Washington, US, December 6, 2017.

Trump has consistently been strengthening strategic ties with Israel and Saudi Arabia, its two important allies in the Arabic region. These two countries are Iran’s strategic competitors and have expressed strong discontent over the nuclear deal with Iran, with future hopes to revise or terminate it.

From the perspective of Israel, the Iranian nuclear deal reached under Obama’s administration was 100 percent a mistake. They believe Iran will use the deal as a cover to pursue its regional domination and continue to develop its nuclear technology. Iran’s active engagement in the Syria and Yemen war together with Lebanese Hezbollah and Russia has also been regarded as vivid evidence demonstrating Israel’s concern.

2018 marks the 70th anniversary of Israel declaring independence and Trump has been invited to unveil the newly opened US Embassy in Jerusalem in May, a move that will be seen as widely controversial around the world and will certainly arouse fierce resistance from the Palestine and Arab world. Just like removing a scab before it's healed, a new round of Palestinian uprising and conflict between Israel and Palestine and even between Israel and the whole Arab world is inevitable and will certainly cause instability throughout the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump (R) welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd L) and Mrs. Netanyahu (L) at the White House in Washington, US, March 5, 2018.

Although Trump has only been in the White House for one year, his Middle East policies are beginning to become much clearer than on other regions. Last May, when Trump made his first foreign trip by visiting Saudi Arabia, Israel and Palestine, he was ambiguous about the one-state solution or two-state solution, and also changed his stance on Israel’s settlement issue. But now, with his mind turned towards Israel, Trump's administration has been seen by the Palestinian side as a catalyst for breaking the peace between Israel and Palestine, which in turn has left a void for Russia to fill.

(CGTN)