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President Trump welcomed the leader of the Palestinian Authority to the White House on Wednesday by pledging to accomplish something that many previous US administrations have tried but never achieved: A lasting peace agreement between the Palestinians and Israelis.
Abbas said that Palestinians wish to see a two-state solution based on 1967 borders with a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem. "The Palestinians and Israelis must work together to reach an agreement that allows both people to live, worship, and thrive and prosper in peace", said Trump.
"We will get it done", Trump said during a series of meetings with Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority.
"We need two willing parties", Mr. Trump told Mr. Abbas.
Despite that, Mr Abbas was nearly effusive in his faith in Mr Trump, saying that the Palestinian people are "capable, under your stewardship.and great negotiating ability" to be true partners with the US. We believe you're willing.
He's taking that as a challenge, and says: "Let's see if we can prove them wrong, OK?"
Trump offered himself as a "mediator, arbiter or facilitator" to help reach a peace agreement between Israel and Palestine, but said, "Any agreement can not be imposed by the United States or any other nations".
Trump also warned of the dangers of incitement.
Trump spoke after welcoming Abbas to the White House for a meeting aimed at relaunching talks that have failed repeatedly to resolve the decades-old conflict.
Tunnel caves in at Hanford nuclear site, thousands of workers take cover
There was no indication of a nuclear release, but crews were continuing to survey for contamination, the department said . During routine surveillance, the agency said it discovered a 20-foot wide hole in the roof of one of the tunnels.
Trump has until June 1 to sign a six-month deferral that every president since 1995 has used twice a year to perpetually forestall the move.
One of Mr Trump's requests during the private meeting will likely be that Palestine stops paying the families of those who carry out terrorist attacks against Israel.
At the same time, Trump has urged Israel to hold back on settlement building in the West Bank, a longstanding concern of Palestinians and much of the world.
Trump also said he saw a "very good chance" for peace between Israel and Palestine.
Abbas praised Trump as a "deal maker" who could make it happen.
Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesaday said Trump is giving "serious consideration" to moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which he pledged to do during the presidential campaign, but did not offer a timeline for that move.
Trump continued, referred to a peace agreement Abbas signed at the White House in 1993. And when Abbas, during his own remarks, appeared to criticize Israel, the President did not react.
"Mr. President, it's about time for Israel to end its occupation of our people and our lands", Abbas said, listing demands that the current Israeli government has baulked at.
UN Security Council Resolution 2334 calls on Israel to "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem" al-Quds.
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