Netanyahu: Victory of Either Candidate in US Elections is Good for Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the victory of either candidate in the US presidential elections would be 'good' for Israel and that 'the relations between the two countries will strengthen.' However, he expressed his expectations from the election winner. According to Israeli media, Netanyahu said during a government meeting on November 6 that his country expects the winner of the US elections to remain loyal to 'principles that have been established over the years.' He mentioned that the US has been the proponent of the 'principle' that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be resolved through direct negotiations between the parties involved. Netanyahu stated that 'the UN or international bodies and conferences cannot create and impose realities on the ground.' He requested that both the current and the next US administration not force Israel to accept a plan regarding the Palestinians. The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel is concerned about potential actions by Barack Obama regarding a two-state solution in the coming weeks. The Wall Street Journal recently noted that although there are less than three months left in Obama's administration, there is a possibility that Washington may impose a plan on Israel through pressure at the UN. According to the Jerusalem Post, Pierre Vimont, a French diplomat who visited Israel to advance his country's political initiative, stated on November 6 that a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is expected to progress in the next two months. The French government, by sending this diplomat to Israel, has called on Netanyahu's government to join the French political initiative. However, Netanyahu insisted that negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians should be face-to-face, without external imposition and without preconditions. He also assessed that 'strengthening bilateral relations with the US reflects Israel's strong position in the international arena.' Netanyahu claimed that Israel's 'special capabilities' in the fields of 'security, economy, and technology' are recognized by the international community. He added that 'in the coming days, Dmitry Medvedev, the Prime Minister of Russia, will visit Israel, and simultaneously, the President of Israel will be a guest in India; our relations with many countries and powers in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and other regions are progressing.' A month and a half ago, during his attendance at the UN General Assembly, Netanyahu held separate meetings with Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and stated that he is 'confident' in the strong relations between the US and Israel during the successor to Barack Obama. Netanyahu has had a cold and sometimes tense relationship with Barack Obama for most of the past eight years. Israeli construction in Palestinian territories and Israel's positions on US nuclear negotiations with other powers regarding Iran, which nearly escalated to military threats against Iranian nuclear sites, were two main reasons for the tension in Netanyahu's relations with Obama. Netanyahu's government has continued construction in Palestinian territories despite all criticisms from the US and the international community. However, Netanyahu replaced his strong criticism of the global powers' nuclear agreement with Iran with the assertion that Iran must be closely monitored to fulfill its commitments. Through criticism of the JCPOA, Israel was able to significantly increase the amount of military aid it receives from the US. The Obama administration recently signed an agreement to provide $38 billion in military aid to the Israeli army over a ten-year period. Both candidates in the US presidential election have emphasized their 'unwavering commitment' to Israel and strengthening relations with the country. Donald Trump has also promised Israel that if he wins, he will move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and show greater toughness regarding Iran.