Trump to Palestinians, Israelis: Compromise for peace
JERUSALEM
“Making peace however will not be easy,” Trump told an audience of Israeli politicians and others. “We all know that. Both sides will face tough decisions. But with determination, compromise and the belief that peace is possible, Israelis and Palestinians can make a deal.”
Trump again vowed that he was “personally committed” to helping the two sides reach a deal to end the decades-old conflict.
He, however, offered no specifics on how he planned to make progress in resolving a conflict that has bedeviled his predecessors and with widespread skepticism over whether meaningful talks are possible for now.
He did not specifically mention the two-state solution, long the focus of international peace efforts and U.S. Middle East diplomacy.
Trump’s speech came after he met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank earlier in the day.
On May 22, he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
“I had a meeting this morning with President Abbas and can tell you that the Palestinians are ready to reach for peace,” Trump said.
“I know you’ve heard it before. I am telling you ... they are ready to reach for peace. And my meeting with my very good friend Benjamin – I can tell you also that he is reaching for peace,” he said.