The top official of an international human rights watchdog, that has found itself at odds with the Israeli government, welcomed a delay in a court hearing on Wednesday about whether to deport its local director from the country.

Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), said he hoped the Israeli government would use the period to reflect and "reassess" its position.

For over a year, Israel has been working to expel the local director of the international group Human Rights Watch, Omar Shakir, accusing him of promoting boycotts.

The deportation issue had been scheduled to go before Israel's Supreme Court this week, but was postponed on Wednesday until September.

Roth had travelled to Israel to demonstrate the stakes at hand by attending the court hearing himself, adding there was mounting international pressure against the move.

Roth said the possible deportation would list Israel among a handful of governments that bar HRW researchers such as North Korea, Iran, Sudan, Cuba and Venezuela.

He accounted Israel's change in attitude towards the rights group to internal Israeli politics as well as the closeness of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to US President Donald Trump.

The BDS (Boycott Divest and Sanction) movement promotes boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israeli institutions and businesses in what it says is a non-violent campaign against Israeli abuses against Palestinians.

Israel says the campaign masks a deeper goal of delegitimising and even destroying the Jewish state.

Roth noted that neither the group nor Shakir, in his position at Human Rights Watch, has called for a boycott of Israel.

It says Shakir, who is a US citizen, is being targeted for the group's opposition to Israel's West Bank settlements and its calls for companies to stop working with the settlements.

The boycott movement's economic impact on Israel has been minimal, but it has enjoyed stronger success in the entertainment and academic worlds, gaining significant support on US college campuses.

Israel and its allies, however, have succeeded in promoting legislation in US states and elsewhere against BDS.

Jerusalem – 24 July 2019

1. Kenneth Roth, Human Rights Watch Executive Director seated

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Kenneth Roth, Human Rights Watch Executive Director:

"It's not every day that a government tries to deport one of Human Rights Watch's researchers and given that that's what the (Benjamin) Netanyahu government is trying to do, I thought it was very important to demonstrate the stakes at issue and come here myself for what we thought would be the Supreme Court hearing. Now, the hearing has been postponed which we take as welcome news because that comes at a moment when there really has been rapidly mounting global outrage at what almost everybody sees as an effort to censor legitimate human rights advocacy. And so I hope that the Israeli government uses this hiatus as a moment of reflection. To recognise that its effort to sort of pretend that this is only about one researcher and his past that everybody sees through that excuse, that everybody recognises that what's really at stake here is the ability to engage in human rights advocacy which may be uncomfortable for the Israeli government, but is completely legitimate and mainstream even within the Israeli public generally."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Kenneth Roth, Human Rights Watch Executive Director:

"There currently is a court order enabling Omar Shakir to stay in Israel until there is a final decision on his case, which ultimately we hope will be a positive decision. So, the plan for now is that Omar Shakir continues to be Human Rights Watch's representative in Israel Palestine. And I hope that that continues for a long, long time because we anticipate a positive ruling in the end. But frankly, even if the Supreme Court were to go the other way, ultimately the decision to enforce a deportation order is the government's. So, while for the moment we're looking at the court in the end it's the government that has to act or not act. And we hope that either the Netanyahu government, or any successor government, will recognise that the world sees through the excuses that it's making with respect to Omar Shakir, recognises that what's really at stake is free speech and legitimate human rights advocacy. And so Israel does not want to join the narrow set of abusive governments that bar Human Rights Watch representatives"

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Kenneth Roth, Human Rights Watch Executive Director:

"Well the irony is that the Israeli government's position is driven by its fear of the so-called BDS movement - the Boycott Divest and Sanction movement. Now why they chose Human Rights Watch to make this case I don't know because Human Rights Watch actually has never advocated boycotting Israel and we don't endorse the BDS (Boycott Divest and Sanction) movement. But what they did is they looked back into kind of the ancient college history of the Human Rights Watch researcher and say well back then he did so we're going to penalise him. But the point is that even this Israeli war is not supposed to be punitive for the past, it's supposed to be preventative for the future. And the government was unable to come up with any evidence that Omar Shakir had ever deviated from Human Rights Watch's positions during the entire ten-year of his employment with Human Rights Watch. So this is really a misguided effort to strike back against BDS (Boycott Divest and Sanction) which everybody sees is in fact becoming just an effort to censor a widely respected, broadly viewed as legitimate organisation that is simply reporting what it is with respect to Israeli conduct in the occupied territories"

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Kenneth Roth, Human Rights Watch Executive Director:

"I mean many people have wondered why did the Netanyahu government try to pull this off this time? And you know frankly I think part of the explanation is just domestic Israeli politics. Things are moving to the right and so something that Netanyahu actually chose not to do just two years ago, he now feels he can get away with or maybe has to do in order to placate the far right within Israel. I think (US President Donald) Trump's embrace of Netanyahu as if Netanyahu can never do anything wrong may have emboldened him as well. But you know fortunately most of the world is not in the same place as Netanyahu and Trump. Most of the world still believes in the Geneva Conventions. Most of the world still believes in the legitimacy of human rights advocacy. And those are the things that are at stake here. And I think that given the global outrage at his effort to deport the Human Rights Watch researcher, this is an opportunity for the Netanyahu government to reassess and to recognise that, you know, it doesn't want to join the ranks of North Korea, Iran, Sudan, Cuba and Venezuela in being one of those handful of governments that bars Human Rights Watch researchers."

9. Cutaway

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Kenneth Roth, Human Rights Watch Executive Director:

"Actually what people don't recognise is that Human Rights Watch's programme on the United States is our largest country programme in the world. And indeed Human Rights Watch has been doing intensive work, most recently on the child separations on the border; the efforts to undermine the right to seek asylum; on the various Trump efforts to demonise immigrants, to promote racist views to really, you know, undermine human rights enforcement at home. And this of course presents a problem globally as well because traditionally, while the US government has never been a, you know, a regular promoter of human rights, it at least has been a government that we could look to from time to time. And that is not terribly productive under Trump. You know, Trump is so busy embracing autocrats. He's not the most credible articulator of human rights principles. So we've had to look elsewhere. But the good news is that there are other governments who've been willing to step up to the plate and whether it's you know Saudi abuses in Yemen or Russian indiscriminate bombardment in Syria or Myanmar crimes against humanity against Rohingya or even China's persecution of the Uighur Muslims. There are governments willing to stand up. And typically it's not the United States, but there are other coalitions of governments that continue to be a powerful voice for human rights and have caused all of those governments to react and to be less abusive than they might have been."

11. Cutaway

12. Omar Shakir, HRW director in Israel, Palestine

Israel and Iran are on a collision course but it remains to be seen whether the recent confrontation between the countries will spiral into a more protracted battle, an Israeli Middle East expert said on Thursday.

Efraim Inbar, president of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategic Studies, said Israel and Iran have conflicting aims in Syria, meaning they are bound to continue to clash.

"The Iranians want to establish a military presence that is threatening Israel, while Israel at the same time is trying to prevent - with the use of force - the establishment of such a presence," Inbar said.

The Israeli military on Thursday said it attacked nearly all of Iran's military installations in neighbouring Syria in response to an Iranian rocket barrage on Israeli positions in the occupied Golan Heights.

It is the most serious military confrontation between the two bitter enemies to date.

But it's unclear what the Iranian response to Israel's retaliation will be.

Inbar said US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the Iran nuclear deal has weakened Iran and has strengthened Israel's power of deterrence.

Iran's ability to hit back further could be limited.

Its resources in Syria pale in comparison to the high-tech Israeli military and it could also be wary of military entanglement at a time when it is trying to salvage the international nuclear deal.

Iran has sent thousands of troops to back Syrian President Bashar Assad, and Israel fears that as the fighting nears an end, Iran and tens of thousands of Shiite militiamen will turn their focus to Israel.

Jerusalem - 10 May 2018

1. Efraim Inbar, President of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategic Studies (JISS) think tank

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Efraim Inbar, President of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategic Studies:

"Definitely there is a course of collision between Israel and Iran, particularly since the two sides are determined to continue and attain their goals. The Iranians want to establish a military presence that is threatening Israel, while Israel at the same time is trying to prevent - with the use of force - the establishment of such a presence."

3. Cutaway to JISS website

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Efraim Inbar, President of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategic Studies:

"The Iranians will have to decide what they want to do in Syria. It is clear that Israel is determined to prevent an additional missile arsenal being accumulated in Syria, and it seems also that the Russians are actually allowing Israel a free hand. Under those circumstances it remains to be seen what kind of response we'll see from the Iranians."

5. Cutaway to screen

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Efraim Inbar, President of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategic Studies:

"After (US) President Trump removed the American participation in the JCPOA, the (Iran) nuclear deal, the Iranian hand is weaker. They are afraid, maybe, of an American intervention. In any case, following Trump's decision, Israel's deterrence seems to be enhanced."

7. End shot of Inbar

LEADIN

An interfaith group from the Gulf state of Bahrain has paid an unprecedented public visit to Israel.

The group says the visit is not political but it has still angered many in the Arab world.

STORYLINE

"We are so proud and so grateful that the group came despite all the hullabaloo of the last few days". Those are the words of Rabbi Abraham Cooper from the US-based Jewish human rights group, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, as he welcomes an interfaith group from the Gulf state of Bahrain to an event in Jerusalem.

The hullabaloo he refers to is last week's announcement by Donald Trump that the US will recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel - and the violence that followed that seismic shift in policy.

The group from the Gulf flew to Israel on Sunday as guests of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, in an unprecedented public visit which has generated uproar across the Arab world.

The trip comes at a time that Israel is boasting of warming, albeit covert, ties with moderate Arab countries in a shared front against archrival Iran. But the heavy criticism toward the group unleashed on Arab social media, along with the low profile they have taken, shows the limits on how far that goodwill can go.

The 25 participants include Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and both Sunni and Shiite Muslims. While organisers and participants say the trip is non-political and unconnected to the government, it nonetheless is a possible test case for other Gulf Arab nations in seeing what could happen if they recognise Israel.

"People have been asking us, 'Oh why are you here now after there was an announcement that was made by the White House?' says Betsy Mathieson, President of This is Bahrain.

"We have nothing to do with politics," Matheison insists. "And if every time somewhere in the world a politician or a leader made a political announcement, or there was a new governmental issue, we would never get any of our work done."

But the early results seem decidedly mixed.

Shortly after the group arrived, it was forced to issue a statement on the state-run Bahrain News Agency that it "does not represent any official entity" in Bahrain after uproar on social media. People were especially angry that the visit came so close to President Donald Trump's comments.

The US President's statement has enraged Palestinians, who seek the city's eastern half as capital of a future state.

Throughout their time in Israel, the group has avoided the spotlight. Several Bahraini citizens in the group chose not to attend a dinner alongside the walls of Jerusalem's Old City to light candles for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah on Tuesday. The few Bahrainis who did attend either refused to speak to The Associated Press or did so only if they were not identified.

Roughly half of the members of This is Bahrain that took part in the trip were Bahraini citizens. Israel and Bahrain do not have diplomatic relations, although the two are rumoured to be nurturing close covert ties. Israel's Interior Ministry said the participants entered the country legally after their arrival was coordinated in advance with Israeli authorities with the assistance of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, says the fact that the group arrived, defying expectations they would cancel because of Trump's statement, "speaks volumes."

"We're looking for the normalisation. We're not waiting for politicians, and we're going to try to stick to that narrative," he says.

Bahrain and other Sunni Arab states see themselves as sharing regional interests with Israel when confronting Shiite power Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly touted Israel's warming ties with Gulf Arab states in recent months. On Sunday, Netanyahu asserted that "many of the Arab countries now recognise that Israel is not their enemy but their indispensable ally." This shift, he said, "could help pave the way to an ultimate peace between us and our Palestinian neighbours and between us and the rest of the Arab world."

Netanyahu acknowledged last week that Israel won't be able to sign peace treaties with Arab countries without a deal with the Palestinians, but also implied that ties have already been established and have plenty of room to grow. "Peace treaties, no. Everything else below that, yes, and it's happening," he said just hours before Trump's declaration on Jerusalem.

The island nation of Bahrain, east of Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf, has long been seen as more liberal than its larger neighbour, but has faced major criticism in recent years for how it put down its 2011 Arab Spring protests with the help of the Saudi kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.

The tiny state is ruled by a Sunni king but has a majority Shiite population. According to the Bahraini government, 70 per cent of the population is Muslim and the remainder adheres to various faiths.

Shiites and others demonstrated in 2011 seeking more political freedoms. An official investigation found the government demolished 30 Shiite religious structures following the demonstrations, ranging from mosques to meeting halls and shrines, as part of a broader crackdown on dissent.

Bahrain is home to a small Jewish community, but no members of the community took part in the trip.

Jerusalem - 12 December 2017

1. Pan from Rabbi Abraham Cooper holding candle to group of visitors from Bahrain (English) UPSOUND "We are so proud and so grateful that the group came despite all the hullabaloo of the last few days."

2. Cooper speaking to group at candle lighting ceremony

3. Close of candle

4. Pull out of Cooper lighting candle

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Betsy Mathieson, president, "This is Bahrain"

"We're thrilled to be here in this beautiful city of Jerusalem. We've been so warmly received and we've been visiting the holy sites and making new friends and sharing our message of peaceful coexistence."

6. Group member lighting candle

7. Close of candle

8. Another group member lighting candle

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Betsy Mathieson, president, "This is Bahrain"

"People have been asking us, 'Oh why are you here now after there was an announcement that was made by the White House?' The thing is, as I said, we have nothing to do with politics. And if every time somewhere in the world a politician or a leader made a political announcement, or there was a new governmental issue, we would never get any of our work done. So you know, political things can change in a heartbeat, but what will not change is the message of This is Bahrain, and our message is one of peaceful coexistence. So we can't allow world leaders or politics to derail our mission."

10. Group members lighting candles

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associated dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center:

"I think that most observers here, in the days leading up to their arrival, assumed that there would be a postponement or a cancellation. That they came speaks volumes."

12. Pan left of group members watching Rabbi Abraham Cooper sing

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associated dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center:

"We're looking for the normalisation. We're not waiting for politicians, and we're going to try to stick to that narrative and we give them tremendous credit."

14. Various of group members around dining table at ceremony

++NIGHT SHOT++

15. Jerusalem's Old City walls

An Israeli official said Wednesday that the U.S. and Israel have the "closest possible intelligence relationship", following President Donald Trump's disclosure of classified information to senior Russian officials, which had been supplied by Israel.

Israel's Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Michael Oren said that relationship between Washington and Jerusalem "will continue to be close and will grow stronger still in the future."

He made the statements days before Trump is due to arrive for a state visit in Israel.

Israel has yet to acknowledge claims from U.S. officials that it was the source of the highly classified information about an Islamic State plot that Trump divulged to Russian diplomats.

Trump himself said he had "an absolute right" as president to share "facts pertaining to terrorism" and airline safety with Russia. Yet U.S. allies and some members of Congress expressed concern bordering on alarm.

Trump appears to have shared the information without Israel's consent, which would mark a severe violation of the confidentiality of their intelligence-sharing agreement.

Even more remarkable is that Trump chose to confide in representatives of an adversary, who could relay the information to its allies Iran and Syria, bitter enemies of Israel, and potentially find the source.

Trump is due to arrive in Israel next week as part of his first overseas trip as president.

Israel has looked to Trump as a close ally but there has been growing apprehension over his unpredictability.

Jerusalem -17 May 2017

1. Establishing shot of former Israeli ambassador to the US and Deputy Minister Michael Oren

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Oren, Israel's Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy and former Israeli ambassador to the US:

"I'm not going to comment on the latest intelligence issues, all I can say is the Israel and the United States have the closest possible intelligence relationship, I'm speaking like someone who was ambassador in Washington for nearly five years, certainly in the Middle East there is no closer intelligence relationship and that relationship will continue to be close and will grow stronger still in the future."

3. Cutaway of Oren in front of his computer

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Oren, Israel's Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy and former Israeli ambassador to the US:

"No Russia talks (with Trump), no. Our relationship with Russia is, we have a good relationship with Russia, we kept open channels with Russia, and yet recognizing the reality, Russians are backing Assad in the Syrian civil war which is not our favourite and Russia is implicitly allied with Iran in that struggle and that creates challenges for us but we meet those challenges through direct contacts both on the diplomatic level, the government level and on the military level."

Question: Even when information is shared with them?

Michael Oren: "Again, I'm not going to comment on that issue but I'll only reiterate that our intelligence relationship has always been exceedingly close and will remain close, will continue to be close again."

5. Oren at his desk

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended an event in Jerusalem on Tuesday, marking one year since the transfer of the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Netanyahu and US Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman unveiled a plaque commemorating the embassy move, and Netanyahu presented Friedman with a statue depicting Biblical David fighting Goliath.

The Israeli Prime Minister gave a speech at the event and spoke about Trump's decision to move the embassy, telling the crowd, "Nobody recognises Jerusalem until someone comes, who's politically incorrect, brash and unabashed, and one day out of the blue says, "That's right. Jerusalem is Israel's capital and I recognise it" - and that's what President Donald Trump did."

The decision to move the embassy was made by US President Donald Trump and sparked outrage among the Palestinians, causing an upsurge in violent protests in Gaza.

It also brought relations between Palestinian leaders and US officials to a near collapse.

Following the embassy move, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has severed all ties with American diplomats saying they are not a credible broker in efforts to find peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

The US administration is expected to unveil a plan this summer to end the dispute in what has been branded "The Deal of the Century."

Netanyahu also commented about the ongoing situation between the US and Iran saying that, "all the countries who seek peace in the world, should stand together with the United States against Iranian aggression."

Jerusalem - 14 May 2019

1. Various of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu US Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman on stage listening to US national anthem

2. Various of plaque commemorating US President Donald Trump's decision to move US Embassy to Jerusalem, being unveiled

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel:

"The world refuses to recognise Jerusalem (as capital of Israel), can you imagine? They refuse to recognise Jerusalem. One after the other. All the countries. Some of them had embassies here, kicked out by pressure in '67 and '73. And since then, it's almost half a century, since then, nobody recognises Jerusalem as our capital. The embassies are in Tel Aviv. I love Tel Aviv. But, it's Jerusalem, Yerushalaim. It's our capital, and what a capital. Nobody moves the embassy, and nobody recognises Jerusalem until someone comes, who's politically incorrect, brash and unabashed - and one day out of the blue says, "that's right. Jerusalem is Israel's capital and I recognise it" - and that's what President Donald Trump did."

4. Wide of stage

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel:

"There is a new effervescence, a new renaissance of relations between us and many of our Arab neighbours. And many non-Arab Muslim countries, many more than you can think. And it's true that we're united in our desire to stop Iranian aggression. And I believe that Israel and all the countries of the region, and all the countries who seek peace in the world, should stand together with the United States against Iranian aggression."

6. Friedman and Netanyahu shake hands on stage

7. Various of Friedman given statue depicting Biblical David fighting Goliath

8. Close of Friedman

Israel's prime minister claimed on Sunday that "Iran is investing billions of dollars in financing terrorism in the region and the world".

Addressing his ministers during a cabinet meeting, Benjamin Netanyahu added that the Iranian people were "rightly" protesting the country's declining economy.

The economic crisis has been fuelled by US President Donald Trump's May 8 decision to pull the U.S. out of the 2015 nuclear deal and restore sanctions.

International firms that made billion-dollar deals with Iran largely have pulled out of them, while the U.S. now is demanding its allies stop buying Iranian oil.

Netanyahu has been an outspoken opponent of the nuclear deal and welcomed the U.S. withdrawal.

Regarding Syria, Netanyahu said Israel "will continue to defend our borders, we will extend humanitarian assistance as much as we can, we will not allow entry to our territory".

Israel has been sending aid across the border for several years and has provided medical treatment to thousands of Syrians that reached the frontier with the Israel-controlled Golan Heights.

The military says it won't allow Syrians to enter Israel.

Jerusalem - 1 July 2018

1. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ministers at the weekly cabinet meeting

2. Mid of Netanyahu

3. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

"The Iranian regime is feeling the coming renewal of the economic sanctions against it. The Iranian economy is in decline. One must see the data to believe it. Iran is investing billions of dollars in financing terrorism in the region and the world, and in aggression in the region, instead of investing them in the Iranian people, and the Iranian people are protesting over it, and rightly so. The change in U.S. policy towards Iran is a strategic switch in Israel's situation. And I believed that this change is possible when I stood in front the entire world to cancel this bad deal. Our goal remains the same, one: to prevent Iran nuclear weapons and second to break the cash machine the deal provided Iran, which sponsors its aggression in the region, including Syria."

4. Mid of meeting

5. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

"With regards to southern Syria, we will continue to defend our borders, we will extend humanitarian assistance as much as we can, we will not allow entry to our territory, and we will demand strict fulfilment of the 1974 disengagement agreement with the Syrian army. I am continuously in contact with the White House and the Kremlin on this matter, and the defence minister and chief of staff are in similar contact with their counterparts in the U.S. And Russia."

6. Netanyahu arriving at cabinet meeting

The Israeli prime minister said on Tuesday that Hamas has turned Gaza into a "barrel bomb".

Benjamin Netanyahu was addressing a dedication ceremony of a bomb proof emergency room in the southern city of Ashkelon.

"We don't have a desire to harm the routine of Gaza's residents, but they must know that it is not Israel responsible for their hardship. The responsibility lays on the radicals that lead them," he said.

The Israeli military said on Monday it struck an underground militant infrastructure site in Gaza in response to rocket fire toward Israel.

The airstrikes came amid days of renewed tensions and violence along the Gaza border.

The military has struck various targets in Gaza in recent days and killed two Palestinians who tried to infiltrate Israel after a militant bomb on the border wounded four Israeli soldiers.

Israel holds Gaza's militant Hamas rulers responsible for all attacks emanating from the territory, regardless of who carries them out. There were no immediate reports of casualties from the strike on the underground site.

The border area has been generally quiet since a 50-day war between Israel and Hamas in 2014.

But it has seen an increase in violence since President Donald Trump's announcement in December recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Ashkelon, southern Israel - 20 February 2018

1. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara at dedication ceremony of bomb proof emergency room

2. Sign reading (Hebrew and English) "Emergency Department - Adult and Pediatric"

3. Netanyahu and wife Sara cutting ribbon

4. Cutaway cameras

5. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister:

"Hamas rule and the terror organisations have turned Gaza into a barrel bomb. We build hospitals and they build terror tunnels and rockets. We don't have a desire to harm the routine of Gaza's residents, but they must know that it is not Israel responsible for their hardship. The responsibility lays on the radicals that lead them. We don't intend to look away from the attempts to violate our sovereignty, or to harm our soldiers and civilians. "

5. Audience

6. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister:

"We will not accept any trickle of fire, we will not accept devices on the fence, as happened last weekend. Whoever harms us, will be hurt himself."

7. Netanyahu waving to crowd and stepping down from stage

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he looks forward to US President Donald Trump's visit to his country, while making no reference to a US-Saudi arms deal that was made earlier in the day.

"Mr. President, we look forward to your visit. The citizens of Israel will receive you with open arms," Netanyahu said during his weekly cabinet meeting.

On his current visit to Riyadh, Trump rewarded his Saudi hosts with a 110 billion US dollar arms package aimed at bolstering Saudi security and a slew of business agreements.

The deal with Saudi Arabia has been a cause of concern in Israel - the next stop in Trump's overseas tour.

On Sunday, Israeli Infrastructure and Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz appeared to be making a reference to the US-Saudi deal by stressing the importance of preserving "Israel's military advantage" "in the decades to come."

"Saudi Arabia is still a hostile country without any diplomatic relations and nobody knows what the future will be," he said.

Commenting on the presidential election results on Iran, Israeli Housing Minister Yoav Galant said the re-election of Hassan Rouhani as President did not mean there was democracy in the country.

"It is the operational arms of the murderous policy of the Supreme Leader Khamenei that is entirely focused on terror, violence and exerting power against Israel, against the free world," said Galant.

Friday's election in Iran was widely seen as a referendum on the 68-year-old cleric's push for greater freedom at home and outreach to the wider world, which culminated in the completion of a landmark 2015 nuclear deal that hard-liners initially opposed.

Jerusalem - 21 May, 2017

1. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walking to weekly cabinet meeting

2. Netanyahu sitting in cabinet meeting

3. Cabinet members at meeting

4. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew/English) Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister:

"I will discuss with President Trump ways to further strengthen the primary and solid alliance with the United States. We will strengthen our security relations, which are growing stronger each day. We will also discuss ways to promote peace. Mr. President, the citizens of Israel are waiting for you with open arms. (English) Mr. President, we look forward to your visit. The citizens of Israel will receive you with open arms."

5. Israeli Housing Minister Yoav Galant arriving

6. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Yoav Galant, Housing Minister:

"The Iranians did not change their position with regards to Israel and we must not - under any circumstances - be under the illusion that there is a democracy there that elected someone. It is the operational arms of the murderous policy of the Supreme Leader Khamenei that is entirely focused on terror, violence and exerting power against Israel, against the free world."

7. Israeli Infrastructure and Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz arriving at cabinet meeting

8. Close up shot of camera

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Yuval Steinitz, Israeli Infrastructure and Energy Minister:

"Saudi Arabia is still a hostile country without any diplomatic relations and nobody knows what the future will be and therefore it is very important to make sure that Israel's military advantage will be kept also in the decades to come."

10. Various of helipad where US President Donald Trump is expected to land being prepared ahead of his arrival on Monday

11. Sign regarding traffic changes ahead of Trump's visit

12. The American flag hung on post, in the background the King David hotel where Trump and his entourage are expected to stay

13. Roof top of the King David hotel where Israeli and American flags have been placed

14. Poster reading (English): "Trump is a friend of Zion"

15. Banner covering building reading (English): "JerUSAlem welcomes Trump."

16. Israeli and American flag hung on posts at main road to Jerusalem

David's Sling, a joint US-Israeli missile interceptor, meant to counter medium-range missiles possessed by Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, will be operational Sunday, marking the completion of the Israel's multi-layer defence system.

That includes the Arrow, designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles in the stratosphere with an eye on Iran, and Iron Dome, which defends against short-range rockets from Gaza.

During cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the system has "tremendous importance to the security of Israel".

On Thursday, Israel approved the first West Bank settlement in two decades, creating the first serious test for US President Donald Trump's foray into Middle East peacemaking.

Netanyahu has vowed to build a new settlement to compensate the residents of Amona, a settler outpost that was demolished in February.

Leader of the Jewish Home party, Nafatli Bennett, said the policy presented by Netanyahu of continuation of building in Judea and Samaria is balanced and has no demographic limitation.

"In theory it sounds good", said Bennett.

"The test will be on implementation."

The Palestinians and the international community consider the settlements obstacles to peace because they take up land where the Palestinians seek to establish their state.

Jerusalem – 2 April 2017

1. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at cabinet meeting

2. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Prime Minister:

"We have absolute commitment to the security of the citizens of Israel. As part of this commitment we are working systematically to strengthen Israel's attack capabilities against its enemies. In addition, we are working systematically to strengthen our defence capability against our enemies. This afternoon the missile defense system 'David's Sling' will become operational. This is important news. Israel's citizens experienced the 'Iron Dome' important achievement against short-range missiles in the last campaign against Gaza. We of course developed the 'Arrow' missile against long-range strategic missile , and other means. 'David's Sling' is a system that operates on middle-range missiles , it has tremendous importance to the security of Israel."

3. Netanyahu and ministers at cabinet meeting

4. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Naftali Bennett, Israeli Education Minister and leader of Jewish Home party:

"On Thursday evening, the cabinet accepted the policy presented by the prime minister, a balanced policy of building continuation in Judea and Samaria, with no demographic limitation, with some restrictions. On the surface it looks a worthy agreement, the test will be the implementation. I told the prime minister, in theory it sounds good, the test will be on implementation, we will see in the coming months the prime minister and defence ministry implementation regarding this, and according to this we will make decisions down the road. Thank you very much."

5. Netanyahu

An Israeli town has named a square after US President Donald Trump to thank him for his continuous support for the country.

The mayor of Petah Tikva, Rami Greenberg, said his city wanted to show its gratitude to Trump for his recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

"There was never a better president, not in the United States or anywhere else in the world, that supported Israel in its fight against extremist organisations that are here in the Middle East," Greenberg said.

The decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem sparked outrage among Palestinians.

Following the embassy move, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas severed all ties with American diplomats saying they are not a credible broker in efforts to find peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Petah Tikva - 9 July 2019

1. Wide of the newly-named 'Trump Square'

2. Sign reading (Hebrew and English) "Donald Trump Square, USA's 45th president and the first to acknowledge Jerusalem as the capital of Israel."

3. Close of Israeli and American flags on sculpture

4. Mid of Trump square

5. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Rami Greenberg, Petah Tikva mayor:

"Petah Tikva, the oldest city of the State of Israel, shows its gratitude to President Donald Trump. The US President who is a big fan of the State of Israel, who helps us in difficult times, from an economic, political and security point of view. He recognised Jerusalem as the eternal capital of the State of Israel, the unified capital, and the Golan Heights. There was never a better president, not in the United States or anywhere else in the world, that supported Israel in its fight against extremist organisations that are here in the Middle East. He should be thanked for all that he did and all that he will do and also to show to other leaders in the world that this is the right way and whoever will go the right way we will show our gratitude here in Petah Tikva."

6. Greenberg writing at his desk

7. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Rami Greenberg, Petah Tikva mayor:

"Yesterday the ambassador congratulated us, not physically but sent his congratulations. Donald Trump himself, I saw tweeted, reacted, blessed. We don't do this for the blessings but really to send the message that whoever cares about the State of Israel, the positive things in us, we should thank him, strengthen him, so he can continue in this way and others will follow him."

8. Pull zoom from traffic to Trump Square

9. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) David Mattityahu, local resident:

"Yes, yes, he deserves it. Why not? He deserves everything. He is in favour of the State of Israel, he loves us and we love him, the whole State of Israel."

10. Trump Square

11. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Ilana (no surname given), local resident:

"I really appreciate what he did for Israel, all the time they want to take our capital away and he decided that this is it, this is the capital of Israel. This is our capital and that's why he deserves it."

12. Traffic in Trump Square

Israel's prime minister has welcomed Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' condemnation of the attack in Manchester, England.

Benjamin Netanyahu said in a speech in Jerusalem on Tuesday that he hopes a "real change" will now follow in the Israeli-Palestinian relations.

He did, however, say that if the attack had happened in Israel and was carried out by a Palestinian, the perpetrator would have been given a financial reward from the Palestinian Authority.

Netanyahu spoke alongside US President Donald Trump as he wrapped up a two-day visit in the country.

Trump, on his part, told an audience of Israelis that the Palestinians are "ready to reach for peace" and that he is personally "committed" to help both sides reach a durable peace agreement.

Trump also noted that Hamas and Hezbollah were launching rockets into Israeli communities and that "Iran's leaders routinely call for Israel's destruction", adding "not with Donald J. Trump. "

Jerusalem - 23 May 2017

1. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump walking to podium

2. Mid of Trump sitting

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister:

"Standing next to you, (Palestinians) President (Mahmoud) Abbas condemned the horrific attack in Manchester. Well, I hope this heralds a real change, because if the attacker had been Palestinian and the victims had been Israeli children, the suicide bomber's family would have received a stipend from the Palestinian Authority. That's Palestinian law. That law must be changed."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister:

"Stop rewarding terrorists, stop glorifying murderers. I believe that this is the first and the crucial step towards the road toward a genuine peace that Israel seeks and that I believe that - together with you - we can achieve. President Trump, working with you, I believe we can advance a durable peace between Israel and its Arab neighbours, as well as the Palestinians, because of the common danger that the Arab world and Israel face from Iran, and because of the leadership that you bring to this process."

5. Melania Trump and Sara Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson sitting in audience

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"Down through the ages, the Jewish people have suffered persecution, oppression and even those who have sought their destruction, but through it all they have endured and in fact they have thrived. I stand in awe of the accomplishments of Jewish people and I make this promise to you: my administration will always stand with Israel."

7. Cutaway of cameraman

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"As I've repeatedly said, I'm personally committed to helping Israelis and Palestinians achieve a peace agreement. And I had a meeting this morning with President Abbas and can tell you that the Palestinians are ready to reach for peace, I know you have heard it before, I'm telling you that's what I do, they are ready to reach for peace. And in my meeting with my very good friend, Benjamin, I can tell you also that he is reaching for peace, he wants peace, he loves people, he especially loves the Israeli people. Benjamin Netanyahu wants peace. Making peace, however, will not be easy, we all know that. Both sides will face tough decisions. But with determination, compromise and the belief that peace is possible - Israelis and Palestinians can make a deal."

9. Wide of Trump speaking

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"Hamas and Hezbollah launch rockets into Israeli communities where school children have to be trained to hear the sirens and to run to the bomb shelters with fear, but with speed. ISIS (Islamic State group) targets Jewish neighbourhoods, synagogues and storefronts and Iran's leaders routinely calls for Israel's destruction. Not with Donald J. Trump. Believe me." ++ENDS ON PULL OUT TO WIDE OF CROWD CLAPPING++

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has offered a strong boost of support for Israel against Iran.

On his first official trip abroad, Pompeo met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Sunday to discuss both countries' concerns about Iran. Both men described the talks as successful.

"We remain deeply concerned about Iran's dangerous escalation of threats to Israel and the region and Iran's ambition to dominate the Middle East remains," Pompeo said. "The United States is with Israel in this fight."

Pompeo also said the U.S. will withdraw from the international nuclear agreement with Iran if it is not renegotiated. Netanyahu has long urged the international community to revise the deal or scrap it.

US EMBASSY HANDOUT

Tel Aviv, Israel – 29 April 2018

1. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcoming new U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

2. Various of Netanyahu shaking hands with Pompeo, posing in front of flags and looking at map, NATS

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASHES++

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tel Aviv, Israel – 29 April 2018

3. SOUNDBITE (English): Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister:

"We've had a very productive talk today on this subject, as well. I appreciate the president's (referring to President Donald Trump) leadership, and your position, on stopping Iran from ever acquiring nuclear weapons. I appreciate the president's and your position on stopping Iran's aggression in the region; that aggression has grown many-fold since the signing of the Iranian (Nuclear) Deal. The people thought that Iran's aggression would be moderated as a result of signing the deal; the opposite has happened, and Iran has tried to gobble up one country after the other. Iran must be stopped. Its quest for nuclear bombs must be stopped. Its aggression must be stopped, and we're committed to stopping it together."

++WHITE FLASH++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"Many of our conversations today, Mr. Prime Minister, as you said, centered on Iran: Strong cooperation with close allies like you is critical to our efforts to counter Iran's destabilizing and malign activity throughout the Middle East. And, indeed, throughout the world. We remain deeply concerned about Iran's dangerous escalation and threats to Israel and the region, and Iran's position to dominate the Middle East remains. The United States is with Israel in this fight."

++WHITE FLASH++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"Regarding the JCPOA, President Trump's been pretty clear: This deal was very flawed. He's directed the administration to fix it and if we can't fix it, he's going to withdraw from it. It's pretty straightforward."

++WHITE FLASH++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"Where the barbaric Assad regime was propped up by Iran, the United States' top priorities are to defeat ISIS, de-escalate violence, deter the use of chemical weapons and ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid, and support an ultimate political resolution to the conflict. Our strategy to do that remains unchanged."

7. Pompeo and Netanyahu shaking hands

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed a new era of relations with Brazil on Sunday after welcoming Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on his first state visit to Israel.

Netanyahu's welcome for Bolsonaro comes days ahead of a tough re-election bid for the long-time Israeli premier on April 9.

The Brazilian president is widely expected during his three-day trip to decide whether to follow U.S. President Donald Trump's lead and move the Brazilian Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move he has repeatedly promised.

The Palestinians claim east Jerusalem, which Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war, as the capital of a future state. Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its capital, including the eastern sector.

Jerusalem - 31 March 2019

1. Various of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro at news conference

2. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel:

"We're happy that after years of relations that were a little strained, you've decided, we've decided, together, to open an era of partnership and cooperation in all areas."

3. Flags

4. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Jair Bolsonaro, Brazilian President:

++INCLUDES AUDIO TRANSLATION IN HEBREW++

"Brazil made a change. The ideological question (of cooperating with Israel) ceased to exist in our government. We are looking to expand our business dealings around the world. We want Israel to get as close as possible to the best in the world."

5. Netanyahu and Bolsonaro shaking hands

6. Pan of Netanyahu and Bolsonaro

7. Various of Brazil's Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo and Israeli Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan signing agreements, shaking hands

8. Officials leaving

Israeli Minister of Communications Ayoob Kara said Sunday his country does not accept the "presence" of Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah group on his country's border with Syria and vowed to do "anything" to push them away.

He spoke a day after Israel fired several surface-to-surface missiles at a military post near the Syrian capital of Damascus, causing material damage but no casualties, Syria's state-run news agency reported.

The Israeli military did not comment on the missile attack, which occurred shortly after midnight on Friday, targeting a military area near the southern Damascus suburb of Kiswah.

SANA, the state news agency, said the missile attack caused material damage but gave no details.

The report also said that Syrian air defences shot down two of the Israeli missiles.

Israel has carried out a number of airstrikes against suspected arms shipments believed to be bound for Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group, which is fighting alongside Syrian government forces in the civil war.

Meanwhile, officials in Washington say US President Donald Trump is considering recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital as a way to offset his likely decision to delay his campaign promise of moving the U.S. embassy there.

Minister Kara said Trump's move would be "an important message."

Kara spoke on Sunday in Jerusalem before attending the weekly cabinet session.

Israel regards Jerusalem as its capital, a position nearly the entire world rejects saying its status should be determined in peace talks with the Palestinians.

The Palestinians claim the eastern part of the city as their future capital.

Jerusalem - 3 December 2017

1. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking at weekly cabinet meeting

2. Israeli cabinet members sitting around table

3. Netanyahu speaking in cabinet meeting

4. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Ayoob Kara, Israeli Minister of Communications:

"Israel has made it clear and is making it clear, that it will not accept Iran's presence on our border with Syria - including Hezbollah of course - and therefore we will do anything that will deter them and will result in distancing them from our border. This is the right thing to do."

5. Cutaway of Israeli flag

6. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Ayoob Kara, Israeli Minister of Communications:

"I think that the US president (Donald Trump) knows and understands the needs of the region and by validating Jerusalem as the eternal united capital of the State of Israel - it's something he declared and wanted - and I think that by implementing it he is sending an important message."

7. Various of Netanyahu attending cabinet meeting

Israel's prime minister on Tuesday vowed to annex the strategic heartland of the West Bank if he wins national elections next week, offering a vision that would likely end any remaining hopes for establishing a Palestinian state.

Benjamin Netanyahu said he would annex the Jordan Valley, an area seen as the breadbasket of any Palestinian state, shortly after forming a new government and move later to annex remaining Jewish settlements.

Such action would gobble up most of the West Bank territory sought by the Palestinians, leaving them with little more than isolated enclaves.

Netanyahu's announcement was the latest in a series of frenetic moves he has made in recent days aimed at rallying his hard-line voters ahead of the 17 September election.

His plan would hinge on a number of factors, most critically whether President Donald Trump would support him.

Nonetheless, it was the most detailed vision for the region that Netanyahu has presented during more than a decade in power.

Appearing some 90 minutes late at a hastily called news conference, Netanyahu said that it was important to act as Trump prepares to unveil his MidEast peace plan after Israeli elections.

"This is a historic opportunity, a one-time opportunity, to extend Israeli sovereignty on our settlements in Judea and Samaria, and also on other important regions for our security, for our heritage, and for our future," he said, using the biblical terms for the West Bank.

He gave no indication on whether he had discussed his plans with Trump, but said he would wait for his peace plan and coordinate all steps with the president, whose team of MidEast advisers is dominated by supporters of the settlements.

US officials said Netanyahu had told them about his proposal ahead of time and had not raised any objections because they do not think it will affect prospects for an eventual agreement.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

++STORYLINE UPDATED AT 1814GMT++

Ramat Gan - 10 September 2019

1. Wide of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arriving at news conference

2. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel:

"We are on the eve of elections. (US) President (Donald) Trump said that after the elections he will present his 'deal of the century' for a permanent agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. In all likelihood this plan will be presented immediately after the elections, even a few days after the elections. And that is right around the corner. This places before us a great challenge, and it also puts before us a great opportunity. This is a historic opportunity, a one-time opportunity, to extend Israeli sovereignty on our settlements in Judea and Samaria, and also on other important regions for our security, for our heritage, and for our future."

3. Cutaway of Netanyahu

4. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel:

"And therefore when it's clear that the Trump plan will apparently come before us very soon, in the immediate future, I ask to receive from you a clear mandate to enact Israeli sovereignty over all the settlements. Out of respect for President Trump, and out of great trust in our friendship, I will wait to impose Israeli sovereignty over all the settlements until after the presentation of the president's diplomatic plan."

5. Audience applauding

6. Netanyahu leaving news conference

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who now represents President Donald Trump as his attorney, slammed the credibility and character of adult film actress Stormy Daniels during an interview in Tel Aviv.

"I'm sorry I don't respect a porn star the way I respect a career woman, or a woman of substance," Giuliani said.

"So Stormy, you want to bring a case, let me cross-examine you," he said.

Daniels has said she had sex with a married Trump in 2006, and she is fighting to invalidate a nondisclosure agreement she signed days before the 2016 election,

Wednesday, Daniels filed a lawsuit and said her former lawyer, Keith Davidson, was a "puppet" for President Donald Trump and worked with the president's personal attorney, Michael Cohen, to get her to appear on Fox News and falsely deny the sexual tryst with Trump.  

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles against Davidson and Cohen, alleges that after a tabloid story emerged in January about Daniels' relationship with Trump, the two lawyers planned for her to appear on Sean Hannity's show on Fox News and falsely deny the tryst.

"I don't trust, I don't believe Stormy Daniels," Guiliani said.  He also said the first lady believes the president in his denials that he ever had an affair with Daniels.

"She believes in her husband. She knows it's not true. I don't even think there's a slight suspicion that it's true," Giuliani said.

The former New York mayor is leading the defense of Trump in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into whether Trump associates coordinated with Russia during the 2016 presidential election, and whether Trump took steps to shut down that investigation through actions, including the firing of FBI Director James Comey.

Giuliani, a strong supporter of Israel, is in Israel for a number of appearances.

Tel Aviv, Israel - 6 June 2108 (

+++AUDIO AS INCOMING+++

+++WHITE FLASH BETWEEN SOUNDBITES+++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Rudy Guiliani, Attorney for President Trump:

''Stormy, the porn star. You know every porn person can't be a star. I never heard of her before. Now I don't really look at porn. Please get that down. I don't look at porn. But, I would say that that's about the same credibility as a lawyer who basically got thrown out of the case. I don't trust, I don't believe Stormy Daniels. I don't believe it. I don't know, sue me Stormy, I don't believe you.''

+++WHITE FLASH+++

2. SOUNDBITE (English): Rudy Giuliani, Attorney for President Trump

(Presenter): ''If you don't believe her, how come money was paid to keep her silent?'' (Giuliani): ''Because I've done that for clients.''(Presenter): ''The money was repaid by the President.''(Giuliani): ''You settle cases to protect people's reputation whether it's true or not. Because if she said it, as she has, people will believe it whether it's true or not.

+++WHITE FLASH+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English): Rudy Giuliani, Attorney for President Trump

I respect all human beings, I even respect criminals. But I'm sorry I don't respect a porn star the way I respect a career woman, or a woman of substance, or a woman who has great respect for herself as a woman and as a person, and isn't going to sell her body for sexual exploitation. So Stormy, you want to bring a case, let me cross-examine you.''

+++WHITE FLASH+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English): Rudy Giuliani, former New York mayor:

(Presenter:) ''Can you tell me, we've seen Melania here in Israel and we've been very impressed by her gracious manner and her you know such elegance (inaudible). Can you tell me how does she feel these days with all the Stormy Daniels affairs going on in the background?'' (Giuliani): ''I can't speak for Melania.'' (Presenter): ''But you're a personal friend?'' (Giuliani): ''I am. She believes in her husband. She knows it's not true. I don't even think there's a slight suspicion that it's true, excuse me, when you look at Stormy Daniels. I know Donald Trump. Look at his three wives, right? Beautiful women, classy women, women of great substance, Stormy Daniels? Pfft.''

Germany's foreign minister on Wednesday asked Israelis whether the US' increasing backing of their country's interests over the Palestinians' was a good thing.

Sigmar Gabriel told a security conference in Tel Aviv that America may not be able to play such a crucial role in the Middle East if it so clearly takes sides, leaving other countries to fill a diplomatic void.

Gabriel asked audience members "what exactly is Israel's strategy in this conflict?", adding that he was sincerely worried about Israel's mid-to-long term options.

Earlier Wednesday, he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.

Tel Aviv - 31 January 2018

1. Wide shot of Sigmar Gabriel walking to podium

2. Mid of audience

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sigmar Gabriel, German Foreign Minister:

"We have to acknowledge the fact that the priorities of the United States are shifting, These developments started before Donald Trump became president. The US is turning towards Asia and looking more inwards. It is less willing to show the responsibility and the costs of the international liberal order. We regret this, but this doesn't change the fact: we have to react and adjust. At the same time, other major powers are becoming more assertive; Russia and China especially. All around the globe, China is filling the void left by other actors, and I would say China is today the only nation with a real geopolitical strategy."

4. Audience

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sigmar Gabriel, German Foreign Minister:

"The Americans are taking your (Israel's) side more clearly than ever before, but is this really only a good thing? When I think of the likely consequences, I think this is more ambivalent. American diplomacy has long succeeded in maintaining a position of an arbiter in crucial questions, also in the Middle East, despite all closeness to your country (Israel). Great achievements, like the peace with Egypt, would not have been thinkable otherwise. Can the Americans still play such a role if they take sides so openly? Will others try to step into their shoes and even closer to home, we have the unanswered question of how Israelis and Palestinians will live together in the future."

6. Audience

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sigmar Gabriel, German Foreign Minister:

"As a friend of Israel and as a foreign minister of a country with a special commitment to your country's security, I am sincerely worried about Israel's mid-to-long term options. We are supposed to talk about strategy at this conference, so what exactly is Israel's strategy in this conflict? Some members of Israel's Cabinet are explicitly against the two-state solution. But the two-state solution has always been the foundation of our engagement for Israeli-Palestinian peace, for the large amount of funding that Germany and Europe make available in support of a situation on the ground, and as we are talking among friends, let me add, these at best mixed signals do not go unnoticed in Europe where there is clearly growing frustration with Israel's actions."

8. Audience

9. Gabriel leaving

The US Ambassador to Israel welcomed on Wednesday President Donald Trump's speech to the United Nations, describing it as "excellent."

David Friedman said Trump "laid out a very clear vision" about America's relations with the world and "how it's good friends with its allies but expects more from the countries with whom the United States has its differences."

Friedman spoke at the Western Wall in Jerusalem ahead of a 'Priestly Blessing' ceremony.

The 'Birkat Cohanim', or Cohen's blessing, is a ritual dating back to the time over 2,500 years ago when King Solomon's Temple stood on the same site.

The ritual is held twice a year for the Jewish holidays of Passover and Sukkot.

Sukkot is a week-long festival celebrating the autumn harvest and commemorating the 40-year desert trek of the biblical Israelites after their exodus from Egypt.

During Wednesday's ceremony, thousands of worshippers stood before the Western Wall, praying and taking part in the traditional ceremony.

Jerusalem – 26 September 2018

1. Various of Jewish worshippers wrapped in prayer shawls during priestly blessing ceremony at the Western Wall

2. US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman speaking to others

3. SOUNDBITE (English) David Friedman, US Ambassador to Israel:

"I thought the President's speech yesterday was excellent, thought he laid out a very clear vision. It's consistent with what he's been saying since he's been the President, about how he fixed the United States relates with the rest of the world and how it's good friends with its allies but expects more from the countries with whom it has, the United States has its differences."

4. Various of worshippers

5. SOUNDBITE (English) David Friedman, US Ambassador to Israel:

"I'm here today because I'm fortunate enough to be a Cohen and this is the day it happens twice a year where they have a great "Birkat Kohanim" (priestly blessing) ceremony at the Kotel, and it's my opportunity to bless the people of Israel and it's a great opportunity so I'm very excited, happy to be here. I think it's the third time since I'm the ambassador that I had the chance to do this."

6. Men praying at the Western Wall

7. Women praying at the Western Wall

8. Jewish worshippers attending priestly blessing at Western Wall

The Israeli Prime Minister reiterated his support on Sunday for the airstrikes carried out by the US, France and Britain in Syria in the early hours of Saturday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during the cabinet meeting in Jerusalem that the joint operation showed there would be "zero tolerance" to the use of unconventional weapons in warfare.

Netanyahu also warned Syrian President Bashar Assad against allowing Iran to build-up its military presence on Syria's border with Israel.

Israel has issued several stern warnings about Iran's increased involvement along its border in Syria and Lebanon.

Netanyahu has been a strong supporter of US President Donald Trump and complimented his "resolve" in countering the threat.

The airstrikes carried out early on Saturday in Syria were in response to a suspected chemical attack against civilians last weekend that killed more than 40 people.

Netanyahu also voiced support at the cabinet meeting for Israel's army after it said Sunday that it has destroyed a Gaza attack tunnel built by Hamas militants that penetrated Israeli territory.

Infrastucture Minister, Yuval Steinitz echoed Netanyahu's comments welcoming the action taken by the US, Britain and France.

Jerusalem - 15 April 2018

1. Wide of cabinet meeting

2. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel:

"Israel supports and will continue to support President Trump's decision to act against the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Israel congratulates the coming together of Britain's Theresa May and France's Emmanuel Macron in this action. I talked yesterday to the British Prime Minister Theresa May, I told her that the important international message that was given with this attack is zero tolerance to the use of unconventional weapons. I added that this intolerance should be also implemented towards the development of nuclear capabilities by terrorist states and terrorist organisations. I repeated that what destabilizes the Middle East is Iran and what (Syria's) President (Bashar) Assad needs to understand is that when he allows an Iranian military build-up in Syria he endangers Syria and he endangers the stability of the Middle East."

3. Cutaway of Netanyahu

4. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel:

"At the same time we continue to deal with the underground threat (from Gaza) During Saturday the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) neutralized another tunnel in the Gaza Strip aiming at Israel. We act on all fronts for the security of Israel. And we support the soldiers of the IDF who are standing on guard on the borders. "

5. Minister of Infrastructure Yuval Steinitz

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Yuval Steinitz, Israeli Minister of Infrastructure:

"Look, the situation in Syria is very grave for six or seven years now. Of course, the fact that the United States together with Britain and France took action and signaled to the entire world, not just to Assad, that it's totally unacceptable to use chemical weapons at all, especially against civilians, this is very important. But, on the other hand we have our own problem we cannot allow Iran to transform Syria into an Iranian military base on our northern border and this is beyond the chemical weapons issue."

7. Prime Minister's office building

US President Donald Trump's Mideast Envoy Jason Greenblatt announced that Israel and the Palestinians have reached a water agreement linked to a massive planned Red Sea-Dead Sea pipeline project.

Greenblatt said at a news conference in Jerusalem on Wednesday that the US-mediated deal gives the parched Palestinian territories roughly a quarter of its annual water needs at a reduced rate.

Israel will start to provide the West Bank and Gaza Strip with 32 million cubic metres (42 million cubic yards) of water per year in the immediate future.

That water will eventually be supplied by a desalination plant linked to Red Sea-Dead Sea pipeline.

The pipeline project is expected to be completed in four or five years.

The US, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators hope the deal could be a platform for future negotiations.

Jerusalem - 13 July 2017

1. Mid of news conference

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Jason Greenblatt, President Donald Trump's Mideast envoy:

"The United States welcomes the agreement signed by the Palestinian Authority and the government of Israel, which will allow for the sale of up to 33 million cubic metres of water from Israel to the Palestinian Authority. In addition, we hope that this deal will contribute to the healing of the Dead Sea. It will help, not only Palestinian and Israelis, but Jordanians as well. (US) President Trump has made it clear that working toward achieving a lasting peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians is a top priority for him. This agreement is an example of the parties working together to make a mutually beneficial deal."

3. Pan of news conference

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Tsahi Hanegbi, Israeli Regional Cooperation Minister:

"The Red-Dead project is the biggest most ambitious project ever initiated and exercised in our area and it will supply a significant amount of water to Jordan, to Israel and to the Palestinians. It will help us challenge the biggest problem that Dead Sea is facing, evaporation of a metre every year and it will also produce green energy. So all of us in this room proved last night that water can serve as means for reconciliation, for prosperity, for cooperation, rather than be a cause for tension and dispute."

5. Wide of news conference

6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mazen Ghuneim, head of the Palestinian Water Authority:

"We will work with all Palestinian parties to try to implement this deal and also we want to thank Mister Greenblatt for his hard efforts, and easy (ones) at the same time."

7. Greenblatt, Hanegbi and Ghuneim posing for photos