The US presidential election saw on Sunday a new chapter added to it -- one that could very well make or break the candidates -- when Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump promised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would recognise Jerusalem as the "undivided capital of the State of Israel" if elected president.
The Jewish community is a strong one -- both inside and outside the US -- and this move by the billionaire-turned politician could well garner him some of that powerful support. It could be just enough to tip the scales in his favour on the day of the reckoning, but it is still far away and there's a lot of campaigning still to come.
According to a statement released by Trump's campaign office, he and Netanyahu met privately "for over an hour at Trump's residence in Trump Tower," and " had the opportunity to discuss many topics important to both countries."
The statement said they reportedly discussed "the special relationship between America and Israel and the unbreakable bond between the two countries. The topics of military assistance, security and regional stability were addressed."
It added: "Trump agreed that the military assistance provided to Israel and missile defence cooperation with Israel are an excellent investment for America." It also said Trump "recognised Israel as a vital partner of the United States in the global war against radical Islamic terrorism," a narrative on which both leaders seem to see eye to eye.
They also discussed Israel-Palestine ties, and the status of Jerusalem. According to the Trump campaign statement: "Trump acknowledged that Jerusalem has been the eternal capital of the Jewish people for over 3,000 years, and that the United States, under a Trump administration, will finally accept the long-standing Congressional mandate to recognise Jerusalem as the undivided capital of the State of Israel."
