Then-presidential candidate Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York City in September 2016. Photo: Kobi Gideon / GPO.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a congratulatory message to new US President Donald Trump as he took office on Friday.

“I look forward to working closely with you to make the alliance between Israel and America stronger than ever,” Netanyahu said.

The Jewish state’s UN envoy, Danny Danon, said in a statement, “A true friend of Israel will soon enter the White House. Israel stands by you and the new administration and we look forward to strengthening our most important alliance as we lead together towards a new era at the UN.”

Israeli opposition leader and Labor party chief Isaac Herzog wished Trump “good luck as you begin your term as president of the United States and leader of the free world.”

“We are convinced that together we will continue to maintain and strengthen the strategic alliance between our two nations, which share common values and interests, led by democracy, equality, freedom and the constant strive for peace and security,” he said. “We seek to reach the much coveted peace with our neighbors, the Palestinians, during your term, based on the principles of true security and regional cooperation with the moderate countries within the ever-changing Middle East. The challenges facing us on a global and regional level are difficult and complex, and I have no doubt that you will address these with wisdom, responsibility and determination.”

Earlier this week, as reported by The Algemeiner, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat called on Israelis to thank Trump for his stated support of the Jewish state and his pledge to move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

In December, Netanyahu said he would speak with Trump about “what to do” about the “bad” Iran nuclear deal.

A few weeks earlier, Netanyahu stated he would work with the Trump administration to advance the “twin interests of peace and security.”