Israel and the United States are discussing a mutual defense pact, US President Donald Trump tweeted on Saturday.
Following a phone conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump tweeted: "I had a call today with Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss the possibility of moving forward with a Mutual Defense Treaty, between the United States and Israel, that would further anchor the tremendous alliance between our two countries. I look forward to continuing those discussions after the Israeli Elections when we meet at the United Nations later this month!"
Trump's tweet comes three days ahead of Israel's election on Tuesday. Haaretz reported last week that Netanyahu is looking for a dramatic gesture from the US president that would return him to office following the September 17 poll.
Netanyahu responded using the official Prime Minister of Israel twitter account, saying, "Thank you my dear friend President @realDonaldTrump. The Jewish State has never had a greater friend in the White House.
I look forward to our meeting at the UN to advance a historic Defense Treaty between the United States and Israel," he concluded.
While the idea of a US-Israel defense pact has been discussed on and off for several decades, it has re-emerged in recent months. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) broached the proposal in June at a dinner hosted by the Endowment for Middle East Truth, saying he wanted Israel to be added to the list of countries with which the US has treaty obligations.
“I think it is important to send a signal in the 21st century: If you are intending to destroy Israel, you have to go through us, and it will not turn out well for you,” he said.
Graham discussed the idea of a treaty when he was in Israel in July. Politically, this is something that could benefit both Netanyahu and Trump in their upcoming electoral battles: Netanyahu in securing yet another diplomatic gift from a friendly administration, and Trump in giving something to Israel that will go down well with his evangelical base.
While some analysts view such a treaty as a significant diplomat achievement, others say such a pact would limit Israel's operational freedom.
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