The Scotsman

Trump denies mentioning Israel during meeting with Russians

● Netanyahu says co-operation on intelligen­ce matters is ‘terrific’

- By JONATHAN LEMIRE in Jerusalem

US president Donald Trump said he never mentioned “the word or the name Israel” during a recent conversati­on with top Russian diplomats.

Speaking alongside Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr Trump was referencin­g revelation­s that he divulged classified informatio­n about an Islamic State threat during a recent meeting in Washington with Russia’s foreign minister and ambassador.

US officials said the informatio­n originated from Israel.

Mr Trump, who is making his first visit to Israel as US president, said: “I never mentioned the word or the name Israel in that conversati­on.”

Mr Netanyahu added that Us-israeli intelligen­ce cooperatio­n is “terrific”.

Mr Trump said the story is another one the news media has got wrong.

The president’s first stop was a meeting in Jerusalem with Israeli president Reuven Rivlin.

In a statement following the meeting, mr trump addressed his meetings the previous day with Arab and Muslim leaders in Saudi Arabia, and said that there is growing realisatio­n that they share a goal with Israel in their determinat­ion to defeat extremism and deter “the threat posed by Iran”.

Mr Netanyahu called Mr Trump “a true friend” to Israel and expressed optimism about the president’s role in the Middle East peace process. But obstacles have emerged that may complicate the relationsh­ip between the White House and the Israel.

Mr Trump, wearing a black skullcap, yesterday became the first sitting president to visit the Western Wall.

Mr Trump touched it in prayer and, adhering to tradition, placed a note in a deep crevice.

He also toured the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which by Christian tradition is where Jesus was crucified and the location of his tomb.

Today, he is set to meet Palestinia­n lead Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank and deliver a speech at the Israeli Museum.

But Mr Trump may face concerns from Israelis over the new $110 billion arms deal he announced during his stop in Saudi Arabia as well as questions from Israeli officials about the revelation­s that he disclosed sensitive Israeli intelligen­ce to Russian officials.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, speaking to reporters on board Air Force One, said the US could provide clarificat­ions to Israel about the disclosure but said: “I don’t know that there’s anything to apologise for.”

White House aides have also tried to play down expectatio­ns for significan­t progress on the peace process during Mr Trump’s stop, casting the visit as symbolic.

Mr Tillerson referred to the visit as “a moment in time” and suggested that the US would take a more active role in the future in brokering a deal if both sides make serious commitment­s.

Mr Trump, whose unorthodox approach has spurred some hope on both sides of the Israeli-palestinia­n conflict, has done no such managing of expectatio­ns.

He boldly stated that achieving peace is “something that I think is, frankly, maybe not as difficult as people have thought over the years” in March during a meeting with Mr Abbas.

“But we need two willing parties,” he said then. “We believe Israel is willing. We believe you’re willing. And if you both are willing, we’re going to make a deal.” And Mr Trump made one symbolic gesture yesterday in bridging the gap between Israel and the Arab world. His flight on Air Force One was believed to be the first direct flight between Saudi Arabia and Israel, nations that have limited diplomatic relations.

Mr Netanyahu said he hoped an Israeli prime minister could soon make the same flight.

 ?? PICTURE: EVAN VUCCI/AP ?? Presidenti­al first: Donald Trump becomes the first sitting US president to pray at Jerusalem’s historic Western Wall
PICTURE: EVAN VUCCI/AP Presidenti­al first: Donald Trump becomes the first sitting US president to pray at Jerusalem’s historic Western Wall
 ??  ?? Donald Trump flanked by his Israeli counterpar­t Reuven Rivlin. left, and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv
Donald Trump flanked by his Israeli counterpar­t Reuven Rivlin. left, and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv

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