Trump Kicks Off Israel Tour; Urges Islamic Leaders To Drive Out Terrorists

Jerusalem: American President Donald Trump on Monday kicked off his Israel visit with a short speech in front of Air Force One at Tel Aviv airport, saying there was now a "rare opportunity ahead to bring peace and stability to the region".

Trump was speaking alongside Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from a podium near the runway, following a flight from Saudi Arabia, where he urged Arab and Islamic leaders to unite and "drive out" terrorists while toning down his own harsh rhetoric about Muslims.

"I have come to this sacred and ancient land to reaffirm the unbreakable bond between the US and Israel," Trump said. He said he was "deeply grateful" for the invitation to visit Israel, and "very, very honoured" to be there.

Meanwhile, Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that Donald Trump's recent anti-Iran remarks were aimed at "milking" Saudi Arabia

The remarks by Zarif came in response to Trump's anti-Tehran comments in Riyadh on Sunday and his arms sale deal with Saudi Arabia. During his visit to Saudi Arabia, Trump called on the regional countries to isolate Iran, which had "fuelled the fires of sectarian conflict and terror".

Trump's historic visit to Jerusalem's Western Wall

Trump became the first visiting US President to visit the Western Wall, one of Judaism's holiest sites, in Jerusalem's Old City.

The historic visit is part of Trump's efforts to highlight "the need for unity among three of the world's great religions" on his first foreign trip, senior administration officials said.

Trump, wearing a yarmulke, placed his right hand on the wall and swayed slightly back and forth with his eyes closed. He was flanked by his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, who is Jewish, and Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovich. US First Lady Melania also left notes at the other side of the Western Wall. Despite requests from Israeli officials, Trump visited the Western Wall without any Israeli government official by his side.