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Trump Talks Up Peace Prospects After Talks With Abbas In ‘Palestine’

President Donald Trump talked up the prospects of peace between Israelis and Palestinians on Tuesday, saying he believed both sides were committed to an historic deal, but he offered no concrete proposals on how to get there.

He spoke after an hour of talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which an official American itinerary called “Palestine.”

“I intend to do everything I can to help them achieve that goal,” he said. “President Abbas assures me he is ready to work towards that goal in good faith, and Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu has promised the same. I look forward to working with these leaders towards a lasting peace.”

While Trump has spoken frequently about his desire to achieve what he has dubbed the “ultimate deal,” he has not fleshed out any strategy his administration might have towards achieving it.

While both Netanyahu and Abbas have made positive noises about their readiness to negotiate, both also face domestic constraints on their freedom to maneuver and strike a deal.

“I would like to reiterate our commitment to cooperate with you in order to make peace and forge an historic peace deal with the Israelis,” Abbas said, standing alongside Trump.

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