Trump talks hopefully of Middle East peace with Abbas

SBS World News Radio: United States president Donald Trump says there is a very good chance of a Middle East peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.

Mahmoud Abbas, left, and Donald Trump.Mahmoud Abbas, left, and Donald Trump.

Mahmoud Abbas, left, and Donald Trump. Source: AAP

He says he does not believe an agreement will be as difficult to achieve as some might think.

Mr Trump made his comments during talks in Washington with Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas.

For decades, successive United States presidents have tried and failed to achieve an enduring Middle East peace deal.

But Donald Trump says he is confident it can be done.

Less than four months into his presidency, Mr Trump has held talks with Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas at the White House in Washington.

"We want to create peace between Israel and the Palestinians. We will get it done. We will be working so hard to get it done. It's been a long time, but we will be working diligently. And I think there's a very, very good chance, and I think you feel the same way."

Mahmoud Abbas has told Mr Trump he wants a peace deal based on a two-state solution along the pre-1967 boundaries.

"Mr President, it's about time for Israel to end its occupation of our people and of our land after 50 years. We are the only remaining people in the world that still live under occupation. We are aspiring and want to achieve our freedom, our dignity and our right to self-determination. And we also want for Israel to recognise the Palestinian state, just as the Palestinian people recognise the state of Israel."

Mr Abbas told Mr Trump his leadership and negotiating skills will be crucial to achieving a peace treaty.

"Mr President, I believe that we are capable, under your leadership and your stewardship, to -- your courageous stewardship and your wisdom, and as well as your great negotiating ability -- I believe, with the grace of God and with all of your effort, we believe that we can become ... we can be partners, true partners, to you to bring about a historic peace treaty under your stewardship to bring about peace."

Donald Trump acknowledges it is a particularly tough deal to reach.

But he had an upbeat assessment of the chances of peace.

"We'll start a process which hopefully will lead to peace. Over the course of my lifetime, I've always heard that perhaps the toughest deal to make is the deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Let's see if we can prove them wrong."

And over lunch, Mr Trump told Mahmoud Abbas the so far elusive peace deal actually might not be as hard to achieve as some people think.

"Something that, I think, is frankly maybe not as difficult as people have thought over the years ... But we need two willing parties. We believe Israel is willing, we believe you're willing, and, if you both are willing, we're going to make a deal."

 

 


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3 min read

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By Greg Dyett



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