Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he expects more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the path of UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan and sign a peace deal with Israel.
The Israeli premier remarks came as he welcomed US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin who visited Jerusalem after a trip to Khartoum during which the Sudanese government pledged to normalize ties with the Jewish state.
“I want to thank President Trump and all of you in the administration for all you have done and are doing for peace. You’ve made a real difference, achieving one breakthrough after another, bringing the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan into the circle of peace," Netanyahu said.
"I have no doubt that more Arab and Muslim countries will follow,” he added.
Regarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Netanyahu warned that returning to the agreement would prompt further nuclear proliferation in the region.
“If we just go back to the JCPOA, what will happen and may already be happening is that many other countries in the Middle East will rush to arm themselves with nuclear weapons. That is a nightmare and that is folly. It should not happen,” he said.
While the Israeli press criticized Netanyahu’s silence towards the storming of the US Capital, he said: "For generations American democracy has inspired millions around the world and in Israel. American democracy has always inspired me. Lawlessness and violence are the opposite of the values we know Americans and Israelis cherish.”
"The rampage at the Capitol yesterday was a disgraceful act that must be vigorously condemned. I have no doubt that American democracy will prevail - it always has."
Mnuchin also condemned the attack on the Capitol Building.
“The violence that occurred last night at the Capitol in Washington, DC, was completely unacceptable. I look forward to getting back to Washington, DC, with our continued work on the transition,” he noted.
