Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to mock the investigations he and his close ally Donald Trump have faced in recent months during a joke shared with the US president.

Mr Trump was joined by Mr Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, where he signed a proclamation recognising Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a reversal of longstanding US policy.

Although the Mueller probe has come to an end, the prime minister faces prosecution back home after his country’s attorney general said he plans to indict Mr Netanyahu over claims he received illegal gifts.

Ridiculing the investigations, Mr Netanyahu said: “Mr President, I have to tell you that I brought you a case of the finest wine from Golan. I understand you’re not a great wine drinker, but could I give it to your staff?

After Mr Trump nodded, the Israeli leader joked: “I hope they don’t open an investigation on us.”

Trump backs Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights Show all 7 1 /7 Trump backs Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights Trump backs Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights An Israeli soldier stands next to signs pointing out distances to different cities on Mount Bental, an observation post in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights Reuters Trump backs Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights Druze people take part in a rally in Majdal Shams near the ceasefire line between Israel and Syria Reuters Trump backs Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights Israeli Druzes sit together watching the Syrian side of the Israel-Syria border on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights Reuters Trump backs Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights A European member of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) using binoculars to look towards the Syrian side of the Golan Heights AFP/Getty Trump backs Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights A file photo taken on October 19, 1973 shows Israeli Defence Minister General Moshe Dayan (R) looking towards the Syrian side of the Golan Heights, four days after the beginning of the Yom Kippur War AFP/Getty Trump backs Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights A file photo taken on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on September 5, 2014 shows members of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force Zone (UNDOF) using binoculars to look towards the Syrian side of the Golan Heights AFP/Getty Trump backs Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights Members of the United Nations peacekeepers standing on a watch tower during a visit by the Israeli Defence Minister in 2018 AFP/Getty

The international community has long recognised the 700 square miles of territory of the Golan Heights as “occupied” by Israel.

Praising Mr Trump for shifting Washington’s position, Mr Netanyahu told the American leader: “You’ve always been there, including today, and I thank you … Israel has never had a better friend than the US president.”

The US president handed the pen over to the prime minister after the signing ceremony.