Trump Slams Iran’s State Sponsorship of Terrorism in Meeting with Israel’s Rivlin

Pictured Above: Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (left) greets President Donald Trump upon the American leader's arrival in Israel Monday. Credit: Avi Ohayon/GPO.

(JNS.org) President Donald Trump slammed Iran as a “state sponsor of terrorism” during his meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem Monday.

“Most importantly, the United States and Israel can declare with one voice that Iran must never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon—never, ever—and must cease its deadly funding, training and equipping of terrorists and militias, and it must cease immediately,” Trump told reporters.

Trump, who arrived in Jerusalem after visiting Saudi Arabia, told the Israeli president he was encouraged by the conversations he had with Muslim leaders.

“Many expressed their resolve to help end terrorism and the spread of radicalization. Many Muslim nations have already taken steps to begin following through on this commitment,” he said, adding, “There is a growing realization among your Arab neighbors that they have common cause with you in the threat posed by Iran.”

Trump said Saudi Arabia’s King Salman would “love to see peace between Israel and the Palestinians.”

Rivlin said there must be “trust and cooperation” between Israelis and Palestinians. 

“Our destiny—Palestinians and Jews—is to live together in this land, Mr. President. We must build trust and cooperation between us,” he said.

Trump arrived at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport shortly after noon Monday. After the meeting with Rivlin, Trump made historic visits to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which many Christians believe is the site of Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection, and the Western Wall, one of the holiest sites in Judaism.