Netanyahu hails ‘exceptionally warm meeting’ with Trump

Israel wouldn’t be the country it is today without US support, he says.

Netanyahu says he had an “exceptionally warm meeting with President Trump last month.”

He thanks Pence for his speech last night and UN ambassador Nikki Haley for backing Israel.

And he thanks Trump for upholding Israel defense aid, “even as the fiscal belt grows tighter. And we appreciate that.”

“We know, as you do, that this support is an investment in our common support and our common future.”

On the Palestinians, Netanyahu says Israel teaches peace to its children and it’s time the Palestinians do the same.

“It must stop denying our legitimacy and history,” paying terrorists, and must recognize the Jewish state, he says. The prime minister says he is committed to working with Trump to pursue peace with Israel’s neighbors.

Netanyahu says Israel will always defend itself “not only on the physical battle, but on the moral battle,” including countering boycott efforts and condemning anti-Semitism.

Concluding his speech, he thanks the AIPAC supporters for standing up for Israel.