Israel's Netanyahu congratulates Biden, thanks Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video on Sunday (Nov 8) congratulating Joe Biden, who he called a "big friend of the state of Israel", and Kamala Harris on their U.S. election win.

And he also thanked outgoing president Donald Trump:

"I congratulate him for his recognition of Jerusalem and the Golan, for his stand against Iran, for the historic peace agreements and for bringing the alliance between Israel and the United States to unprecedented heights. Thank you President Trump."

Having enjoyed a close relationship with Trump over the past four years, Netanyahu will likely be troubled if Biden departs from his predecsesor's tough policy towards Iran and Palestinians.

The president-elect has pledged to restore U.S. involvement in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and he will likely oppose Israeli settlement of occupied land where Palestinians seek statehood.

In the West Bank's Efrat settlement, mayor Oded Revivi said they want to see what path Biden will adopt.

"He was the Vice President of President Obama eight years which Israel didn't enjoy as much as the four years with President Trump, but it has to be remembered that president Biden was and is a great friend of Israel, a great supporter."

But elsewhere in the West Bank, Palestinian shoe maker Imad Haj Muhammad is happy to see Trump go, saying his decisions hurts Palestinians and that he hopes the American administration will now change its policies.

On Sunday Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas congratulated Biden on his victory.

In a statement Abbas indicated he will drop his three year political boycott of the White House prompted by the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.