Iran must stop supporting terrorists: Trump in Israel
US President Donald Trump on Monday said that there is a "rare opportunity" to bring peace to the Middle East as he denounced Iran for supporting "terrorists" and vowed never to allow Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons.
"I have found new reasons for hope," said Trump upon arriving at the Ben-Gurion International Airport.
"There is a rare opportunity to bring security and peace to the region, but we can only get there by working together," said Trump who arrived here from Riyadh in what is believed to be the first direct flight between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Trump went on to say that he met with leaders from across the Arab world in Saudi Arabia and reached "historic agreements" in fight against terror.
"On my first trip overseas as President, I have come to this sacred and ancient land to reaffirm unbreakable bond between us and Israel," Trump said during a welcome ceremony at the airport. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Trump on what he called a "truly historic" visit, which he viewed as a "powerful expression of your friendship".
Trump left for Jerusalem immediately after the welcome ceremony for his meeting with Rivlin at the President's House amid heightened security with all the major roads in Jerusalem completely gridlocked.
At Rivlin's residence, Trump lashed out at Iran.
"The United States and Israel can declare with one voice that Iran must never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon – never ever – and must cease its deadly funding, training and equipping of terrorists and militias," Trump said in remarks at Rivlin's residence. "It must cease immediately," he said, referring to Iran's alleged involvement in arming and training militias.
During his stay in Saudi Arabia, Trump had accused Iran of fuelling "the fires of sectarian conflict and terror" in the region and called for its international isolation.
Earlier, Netanyahu applauded Trump's call for nations to do more to fight terrorism during his visit to Saudi Arabia.
"Israel shares the commitment to peace that you made yesterday. The peace we seek is genuine and durable, in which the Jewish state is recognised, security remains in Israel’s hands, and the conflict ends once and for all," Netanyahu said while welcoming the US president at the airport.
"I hope this trip is a step on the path toward reconciliation and peace," he stressed.
The Israeli leader also noted that it was the first time that a US President has chosen to come to Israel during his first foreign trip after taking charge.
President Rivlin thanked Trump for his "commitment to Israel's ability to face the threats of today and of tomorrow".
The Israeli president emphasised that while the world, the Middle East, and Israel all need a strong United States, "the United States also needs a strong Israel". –PTI