Netanyahu Plans To Discuss ‘Cruel’ Iran With Trump ‘Soon’

The letter, which the ABC has seen, called on the Turnbull Government to apply pressure on Israel to halt its “illegal settlement activities and abide by global law“. Settlements were a source of bitterness in relations between the governments.

The new president and his team have warmly embraced the euphoria with one Trump adviser on the weekend signalling an eventual Israeli takeover of the West Bank.

In a report by the Israeli daily newspaper, Ynet, Friedman said he will arrive in Israel by the end of February and intends to live in occupied Jerusalem whether the administration decides to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem or not.

They want the West Bank and Gaza Strip, from which Israeli troops and settlers withdrew in 2005, for an independent state, with its capital in East Jerusalem. Annexing it would almost sever the West Bank between north and south.

The political pressure has left Netanyahu in the awkward position of the party pooper.

The decision was approved by the rightwing Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his defence minister, Avigdor Lieberman.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday, just prior to his phone call with President Trump.

With Trump signalling a more tolerant approach toward the much-maligned settlement movement, Israel’s nationalist right now believes it has an ally in the White House, and Israeli hard-line leaders make no secret they will push for aggressive action in the occupied West Bank.

Netanyahu said he would hold his first conversation with Trump since he took office, by telephone on Sunday.

If the new US President is really interested in restoring peace in the volatile Mideast region, he will have to use his influence on Israel and after getting stopped the illegal settlements, should encourage both the parties to enter into direct negotiations. Building is planned in the neighbourhoods of Ramot, Pisgat Zeev and Ramat Shlomo.

Most countries consider settlement activity illegal and an obstacle to peace.

On January 21, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said on his Twitter account that he had sent a letter of congratulations to Trump upon his inauguration, calling him a “longstanding friend”, and invited him to Jerusalem.

The German Foreign Ministry responded on Monday to plans announced a day earlier in Jerusalem to build another 566 housing units in the annexed quarter of the city. David Friedman, Trump’s choice for ambassador to Israel, has said that he looks forward to performing his service “from the U.S. Embassy in Israel’s eternal capital, Jerusalem“.