Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump took a break from last-minute preparation for the big debate to have separate closed-door meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin in New York.
Netanyahu, who was in New York for last week's United Nations General Assembly, first visited the GOP nominee's home in Trump Tower. The two were discussing military assistance and security for more than an hour, according to a release from the Trump campaign. One item on the agenda was "Israel's successful experience with a security fence that helped secure the borders," echoing Trump's own emphasis on building a border wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the campaign. Trump also promised to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital city, a long-held desire of the Israeli government and many Israel backers in America. That recognition would mark a removal of long-standing U.S. policy. The United States recognizes Tel Aviv as the Israeli capital and maintains its embassy there, as well as many other countries. Clinton's meeting with Netanyahu was held later on Sunday at the W Hotel. Clinton "confirmed her unwavering commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship and her plan to take our partnership to the next level," says a senior campaign aide in a news release about the meeting. Among the topics discussed the long-standing Israel-Palestinian conflict. Clinton supports a two-state solution "negotiated directly by the parties," and said in the meeting that she opposed any attempt by outside parties, including the United Nations Security Council, to impose a solution. Discussed was the controversial BDS movement, an effort gaining traction on college campuses that advocates boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against Israel. The Clinton campaign characterized such efforts as "attempts to de-legitimize Israel," and said Clinton was committed to countering such protests. You can see a guide to how the candidates' debating styles could clash in the highly anticipated first presidential debate here.
