Trump calls for peace

Send this clipping to somebody

Transcribed from the clipping

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wave at the Israel museum in Jerusalem on Tuesday. Trump also met separately with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Trump calls for peace President makes a personal appeal to Israel and Palestine The Associated Press Mahmoud Abbas.

Speaking at the Is- leapt to his feet when the president rael Museum, he declared both sides declared Tuesday that his adminis- ERUSALEM - President Donald ready to move forward, though there tration "will always stand with Israel." Trump made a personal appeal were no tangible signs of the dormant Yet some Israeli officials are less for peace between Israel and the peace process being revived. certain of Trump.

In statements lead- Palestinians, calling on both sides "Palestinians are ready to reach for ing up to the trip, hes taken a tougher- to put aside the "pain and dis- peace," Trump said.

Turning to the than-expected line on settlements, agreements of the past," as he closed prime minister, who joined him for saying he doesn't believe they help the a four-day swing through the Middle the speech, Trump said, "Benjamin peace process, though he's stopped East Tuesday.

Netanyahu wants peace." short of calling for a full construction But Trump departed for Europe A longtime businessman, Trump freeze.

He's also backed away from having offered no real indication of has cast Middle East peace as the "ul- his campaign pledge to move the U.S a path forward on one of the world's timate deal" and has tasked son-in- Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Je- most intractable disputes.

He point- law Jared Kushner and former real rusalem, bending to the same secu- edly sidestepped any mention of is- estate lawyer Jason Greenblatt with rity risks as other presidents who have sues that have stymied all previous charting a course forward.

Still, White made that promise. attempts at a peace deal, including House officials had downplayed the At the same time, Abbas and the the status of Jerusalem, Israeli settle- prospects for a breakthrough on this Palestinians have been pleasantly sur- ment construction and the Palestin- trip, saying it was important to man- prised by their dealings with Trump. ians demand for a sovereign nation. age their ambitions as they wade into On Tuesday morning, Trump met Trump's vagueness on one of the terrain that has tripped up more ex- with Abbas in Bethlehem, traveling region's central issues did little to perienced diplomats. across the barrier surrounding much dampen the enthusiasm surround- Trump's caution showed.

He did of the biblical city. ing his visit, particularly from israeli not weigh in on Israeli settlements, Abbas said he was keen to "keep Prime Minister Benjamin Netanvahu. the status of Jerusalem or even the door open to dialogue with our The prime minister, who had a frosty whether the U.S. would continue to Israeli neighbors." He reiterated the relationship with Trump's predeces- insist on a two-state solution, giving Palestinians demands, including es- sor, heaped praise on the president the Palestinians sovereign territory. tablishing a capital in East Jerusalem, throughout the two-day visit, declar- Trump and Netanvahu in particular territory Israel claims as well, insisting ing: "We understand each other." lavished praise on each other during that "our problem is not with the Jew- During his quick stop in the region. their multiple meetings.

The prime ish religion, it's with the occupation Trump met with both Netanyahu minister, who repeatedly butted and settlements, and with Israel not and Palestinian Authority President heads with President Barack Obama, recognizing the state of Palestine."

Cite this item

"Trump calls for peace," Hartford Courant, 11 September 2018. Covering Palestine archive, CP-2018-017. https://coveringpalestine.org/archive/cp-2018-017