The Romanian prime minister promised Sunday in Washington that her country would move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, breaking with both the European position and apparently with her own country's president.

Prime Minister Viorica Dancila made the announcement before the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), an influential pro-Israel lobby.

Her stance would align Romania with the US position under President Donald Trump, and it came on a day when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was beginning a Washington visit to include an AIPAC appearance and a meeting with Trump.

Netanyahu subsequently tweeted his congratulations to Dancila for informing AIPAC "that she would act to complete the procedures needed to open the Romanian embassy in Jerusalem."

Nonetheless, it marked an awkward break with the position of the European Union at a time when Bucharest holds the EU's rotating chairmanship.

Adding to the uncertainty, Romania's centrist president Klaus Iohannis has opposed the move as a breach of international law. He has said that in any case, such a shift would require presidential approval.

Dancila nonetheless told applauding AIPAC members that "I, as prime minister of Romania, and the government that I run, will move our embassy to Jerusalem."

Netanyahu, who had called on his Romanian counterpart in January to announce the transfer, on Sunday welcomed her move.

"I congratulate my friend, the prime minister of Romania, Viorica Dancila, on her announcement at AIPAC that she would act to complete the procedures needed to open the Romanian embassy in Jerusalem," the Israeli leader tweeted.

But the announcement drew criticism from senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat, who called it "a blatant violation of Palestinian rights, international law, and UN resolutions".

Erekat said the move "only contributes to eliminating the two-state solution".

He called on the European Union to take action over the decision and said the matter would be raised with the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

During an April 2018 visit to Israel, Dancila had said she lacked the domestic support to make the move.

Jerusalem's status is one of the thorniest issues blocking any final settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel occupied east Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community.

It considers the entire city its capital, while the Palestinians see the eastern sector as the capital of their future state.

The United Nations contends that the matter can only be settled between the Israeli and Palestinian people and that until such a resolution, countries should not shift their embassies to Jerusalem.

The Romanian prime minister promised Sunday in Washington that her country would move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, breaking with both the European position and apparently with her own country's president.

The Romanian prime minister promised Sunday in Washington that her country would move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, breaking with both the European position and apparently with her own country's president. Prime Minister Viorica Dancila made the announcement before the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), an influential pro-Israel lobby. Her stance would align Romania with the US position under President Donald Trump, and it came on a day when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was beginning a Washington visit to include an AIPAC appearance and a meeting with Trump. Netanyahu subsequently tweeted his congratulations to Dancila for informing AIPAC "that she would act to complete the procedures needed to open the Romanian embassy in Jerusalem." Nonetheless, it marked an awkward break with the position of the European Union at a time when Bucharest holds the EU's rotating chairmanship. Adding to the uncertainty, Romania's centrist president Klaus Iohannis has opposed the move as a breach of international law. He has said that in any case, such a shift would require presidential approval. Dancila nonetheless told applauding AIPAC members that "I, as prime minister of Romania, and the government that I run, will move our embassy to Jerusalem." Netanyahu, who had called on his Romanian counterpart in January to announce the transfer, on Sunday welcomed her move. "I congratulate my friend, the prime minister of Romania, Viorica Dancila, on her announcement at AIPAC that she would act to complete the procedures needed to open the Romanian embassy in Jerusalem," the Israeli leader tweeted. But the announcement drew criticism from senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat, who called it "a blatant violation of Palestinian rights, international law, and UN resolutions". Erekat said the move "only contributes to eliminating the two-state solution". He called on the European Union to take action over the decision and said the matter would be raised with the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. During an April 2018 visit to Israel, Dancila had said she lacked the domestic support to make the move. Jerusalem's status is one of the thorniest issues blocking any final settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel occupied east Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community. It considers the entire city its capital, while the Palestinians see the eastern sector as the capital of their future state. The United Nations contends that the matter can only be settled between the Israeli and Palestinian people and that until such a resolution, countries should not shift their embassies to Jerusalem.

Romania to move embassy to Jerusalem, pledges PM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given a rare and unscheduled television interview to combat allegations of improper behaviour from his rivals before April elections.

Saturday night's interview with Channel 12 came just before he boarded a plane for Washington, where he was due to meet US President Donald Trump and address the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a pro-Israel lobby.

The prime minister walked into the studio while the anchors notified only a short while before, were presenting the evening news.

Netanyahu, already under threat of indictment for separate corruption allegations, has come under renewed scrutiny in recent days over his handling of submarine deals.

His electoral opponents have repeatedly suggested that Netanyahu may have benefited financially from them -- which the prime minister says is completely false.&nbsp;

"I have to smash the wave of lies spread by (Benny) Gantz and (Yair) Lapid and (Moshe) Yaalon and (Gabi) Ashkenazi," Netanyahu said of the leaders of the centrist Blue and White electoral alliance.

The four say Netanyahu may have pushed for an unnecessary submarine acquisition from Germany's Thyssenkrupp to boost the stock of a company in which he had owned shares.

Blue and White also claim Netanyahu could have committed treason by agreeing to allow Germany to sell Egypt submarines without the knowledge of the defence ministry.

Germany consults with Israel before such sales due to the relationship between the two countries, Israeli media has reported.

Netanyahu said Friday he was suing his opponents for libel, but arrived at the television studio nonetheless to defend himself.

At the advice of his cousin, Netanyahu had in 2007 bought $600,000 of stock in a company that manufactured components used in the metal industry, he said.

He said he sold it in 2010 -- when already premier -- and that the relevant authorities were made aware of the holdings and sale.

He reportedly sold at a profit of more than $3 million.

Netanyahu added that the submarine sale to Israel took place over a year after he no longer held stock.

"It's a company that has nothing to do with submarines," he said.

The claim that he compromised Israel's security by allowing Germany to sell Egypt submarines was "a blood libel", Netanyahu said.

He said the reasons he agreed to it were "secret" due to state security, but noted the head of the national security council and attorney general were aware.

Police have investigated the submarine acquisitions and recommended pressing charges against a number of people involved, including Netanyahu's cousin and lawyer David Shimron.&nbsp;

Netanyahu was questioned as a witness in the case and was not considered a suspect.

Netanyahu claims unfair treatment from the mainstream Israeli media and has largely refrained from studio interviews.

He has instead been using his "Likud TV" internet broadcasts and social media as a means to spread his messages ahead of the April 9 general elections.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given a rare and unscheduled television interview to combat allegations of improper behaviour from his rivals before April elections.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given a rare and unscheduled television interview to combat allegations of improper behaviour from his rivals before April elections. Saturday night's interview with Channel 12 came just before he boarded a plane for Washington, where he was due to meet US President Donald Trump and address the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a pro-Israel lobby. The prime minister walked into the studio while the anchors notified only a short while before, were presenting the evening news. Netanyahu, already under threat of indictment for separate corruption allegations, has come under renewed scrutiny in recent days over his handling of submarine deals. His electoral opponents have repeatedly suggested that Netanyahu may have benefited financially from them -- which the prime minister says is completely false. "I have to smash the wave of lies spread by (Benny) Gantz and (Yair) Lapid and (Moshe) Yaalon and (Gabi) Ashkenazi," Netanyahu said of the leaders of the centrist Blue and White electoral alliance. The four say Netanyahu may have pushed for an unnecessary submarine acquisition from Germany's Thyssenkrupp to boost the stock of a company in which he had owned shares. Blue and White also claim Netanyahu could have committed treason by agreeing to allow Germany to sell Egypt submarines without the knowledge of the defence ministry. Germany consults with Israel before such sales due to the relationship between the two countries, Israeli media has reported. Netanyahu said Friday he was suing his opponents for libel, but arrived at the television studio nonetheless to defend himself. At the advice of his cousin, Netanyahu had in 2007 bought $600,000 of stock in a company that manufactured components used in the metal industry, he said. He said he sold it in 2010 -- when already premier -- and that the relevant authorities were made aware of the holdings and sale. He reportedly sold at a profit of more than $3 million. Netanyahu added that the submarine sale to Israel took place over a year after he no longer held stock. "It's a company that has nothing to do with submarines," he said. The claim that he compromised Israel's security by allowing Germany to sell Egypt submarines was "a blood libel", Netanyahu said. He said the reasons he agreed to it were "secret" due to state security, but noted the head of the national security council and attorney general were aware. Police have investigated the submarine acquisitions and recommended pressing charges against a number of people involved, including Netanyahu's cousin and lawyer David Shimron. Netanyahu was questioned as a witness in the case and was not considered a suspect. Netanyahu claims unfair treatment from the mainstream Israeli media and has largely refrained from studio interviews. He has instead been using his "Likud TV" internet broadcasts and social media as a means to spread his messages ahead of the April 9 general elections.

Benjamin Netanyahu gives rare TV interview to address allegations

Benjamin Netanyahu was to meet his &quot;true friend&quot; Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, even as an ex-aide to the Israeli prime minister signed a state witness deal in a corruption probe tightening around him back home.

Netanyahu, who is also grappling with a spreading governmental crisis that could trigger early elections, was due to meet Trump in the Oval Office and have a working lunch with the US leader, although analysts said little of note was likely to emerge from the meeting.

The Israeli leader has embraced the Trumpian tactic of denouncing as &quot;fake news&quot; the corruption allegations hanging over his head, a method Trump has honed in dealing with an investigation into whether his campaign team colluded with Russia during the 2016 US elections.

Trump has offered unswerving support for Israel and its government, and the two leaders were sure to discuss his recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, a controversial move that received an extra boost Monday when Guatemala announced it too was moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The two leaders were also expected to discuss efforts to curb Iran&#39;s regional influence.

The White House meeting, held during Netanyahu&#39;s visit to the annual conference of the influential lobby group the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), will provide a boost for the right-wing Israeli leader as scandals and political turmoil brew at home.

&quot;I think they are partners in ideology, and the ideology is a populist, conservative ideology which says that the old liberal elites are against us,&quot; said Gayil Talshir, a political scientist at Jerusalem&#39;s Hebrew University.&nbsp;

The Israeli leader&#39;s domestic problems mounted even as he prepared to meet Trump, when Israeli media reported that a former spokesman for his family, Nir Hefetz, had become the third Netanyahu associate to sign a state witness deal with prosecutors in recent months.

Hefetz is alleged to have acted as a messenger between Netanyahu, the telecoms mogul Shaul Elovitch and the news website Walla!, media reports said.

Police suspect the telecoms firm Bezeq was given regulatory breaks in return for Netanyahu receiving positive coverage on Walla!, a news website owned by Bezeq.

Hefetz is also suspected of trying to bribe a retired judge to block a probe into the prime minister&#39;s wife, Sara Netanyahu, over alleged misuse of public funds, according to reports.

Countering Iran

While Trump&#39;s plan to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem this year has brought the two leaders closer together, it has infuriated the Palestinian leadership and was condemned by 128 states in a United Nations General Assembly vote in December.&nbsp;

The issue has also caused a widening rift in US public opinion. A survey in January by the Pew Research Center showed that 79 percent of Republicans were more sympathetic towards Israel than the Palestinians, against just 27 percent among Democrats.

The Middle East peace process grew even more complicated recently after Jared Kushner, the president&#39;s son-in-law and one of his senior advisers, lost his top-secret security clearance.&nbsp;

But Netanyahu is not thought to be overly concerned about any delay in restarting the peace talks.

In his encounters with Trump and at the AIPAC conference, he is expected to focus mainly on Iran as Israel&#39;s greatest enemy, and one he says seeks a permanent military presence in neighboring Syria.

The prime minister is also expected to call again for changes to, or the cancellation of, the nuclear accord between world powers and Iran, said Zalman Shoval, a former Israeli ambassador to Washington.&nbsp;

Netanyahu was due to meet Trump in the Oval Office and have a working lunch with the US leader

Benjamin Netanyahu was to meet his "true friend" Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, even as an ex-aide to the Israeli prime minister signed a state witness deal in a corruption probe tightening around him back home. Netanyahu, who is also grappling with a spreading governmental crisis that could trigger early elections, was due to meet Trump in the Oval Office and have a working lunch with the US leader, although analysts said little of note was likely to emerge from the meeting. The Israeli leader has embraced the Trumpian tactic of denouncing as "fake news" the corruption allegations hanging over his head, a method Trump has honed in dealing with an investigation into whether his campaign team colluded with Russia during the 2016 US elections. Trump has offered unswerving support for Israel and its government, and the two leaders were sure to discuss his recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, a controversial move that received an extra boost Monday when Guatemala announced it too was moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The two leaders were also expected to discuss efforts to curb Iran's regional influence. The White House meeting, held during Netanyahu's visit to the annual conference of the influential lobby group the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), will provide a boost for the right-wing Israeli leader as scandals and political turmoil brew at home. "I think they are partners in ideology, and the ideology is a populist, conservative ideology which says that the old liberal elites are against us," said Gayil Talshir, a political scientist at Jerusalem's Hebrew University. The Israeli leader's domestic problems mounted even as he prepared to meet Trump, when Israeli media reported that a former spokesman for his family, Nir Hefetz, had become the third Netanyahu associate to sign a state witness deal with prosecutors in recent months. Hefetz is alleged to have acted as a messenger between Netanyahu, the telecoms mogul Shaul Elovitch and the news website Walla!, media reports said. Police suspect the telecoms firm Bezeq was given regulatory breaks in return for Netanyahu receiving positive coverage on Walla!, a news website owned by Bezeq. Hefetz is also suspected of trying to bribe a retired judge to block a probe into the prime minister's wife, Sara Netanyahu, over alleged misuse of public funds, according to reports. Countering Iran While Trump's plan to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem this year has brought the two leaders closer together, it has infuriated the Palestinian leadership and was condemned by 128 states in a United Nations General Assembly vote in December. The issue has also caused a widening rift in US public opinion. A survey in January by the Pew Research Center showed that 79 percent of Republicans were more sympathetic towards Israel than the Palestinians, against just 27 percent among Democrats. The Middle East peace process grew even more complicated recently after Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and one of his senior advisers, lost his top-secret security clearance. But Netanyahu is not thought to be overly concerned about any delay in restarting the peace talks. In his encounters with Trump and at the AIPAC conference, he is expected to focus mainly on Iran as Israel's greatest enemy, and one he says seeks a permanent military presence in neighboring Syria. The prime minister is also expected to call again for changes to, or the cancellation of, the nuclear accord between world powers and Iran, said Zalman Shoval, a former Israeli ambassador to Washington.

Israeli Prime Minister to meet Trump in White House as scandal grows back home