Trump may visit Jerusalem for opening of US embassy

President Donald Trump said on Monday he might travel to Israel for the opening of the United States embassy in Jerusalem as he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a united front against Iran in White House talks.

Trump, with Netanyahu at his side in the Oval Office, said he was considering making what would be his second visit to Jerusalem as president. The opening of the US embassy is planned for May.

“We’re looking at coming,” Trump said. “If I can, I will.”

Mired in corruption investigations threatening his political survival, Netanyahu — questioned at his home by police on Friday — stepped into a different spotlight during his five-day US visit.

Trump’s push to change or scrap Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and concerns over Teheran’s foothold in Syria topped the agenda of his talks with Netanyahu. A US official characterised Netanyahu’s visit as a “routine check-in”.

For Netanyahu, however, the Oval Office meeting offered a respite from his legal troubles.

He is waiting for a decision by Israel’s attorney-general on whether to indict him, as police have recommended in two bribery cases.