Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has said his first meeting with Donald Trump left him hopeful and he thinks the U.S. can play an important role as mediator between his people and Israelis.
The White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters at his daily news conference that the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues.
In a joint news briefing with Abbas on Wednesday evening after their first meeting, Trump said he will "do whatever is necessary to negotiate a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians".
He did not address - at least in the public portion of the meeting - a demand by Netanyahu that Abbas stop Palestinian Authority payments to families of terrorists killed or jailed by Israel.
"President Abbas... How can you speak of peace with Israel and at the same time fund murderers who spill the blood of innocent Israelis at every turn?"
As he concluded and turned to shake hands with Trump, Abbas added in English: "Now, Mr. President, with you, we have hope".
Trump welcomed Abbas to the White House and recommitted himself to peace in the region where the top priority for him right now is defeat of the Islamic State.
Abbas is unpopular and has led the Palestinian Authority for the past 12 years, long past the conclusion of his five-year term.
"I believe that we are capable under your leadership and your stewardship to - your courageous stewardship and your wisdom, 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 be partners, true partners, to you to bring about a historic peace treaty under your stewardship to bring about peace", he said. Israel continues settlement construction in the West Bank. "Let's see if we can prove them wrong".
Among them, the right of return for Palestinians to lands now held by Israel and the establishment of a Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem and based on 1967 borders.
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Trump is reportedly visiting Israel at the end of the month, although no official announcement has been made.
The tweet was posted as Abbas was meeting with Tillerson at the hotel where the Palestinian delegation is staying in downtown Washington.
"Instead, Trump and his team should focus on incremental steps to improve the situation on the ground, preserve the possibility of the two-state solution at another time, and set conditions for negotiations in the future".
We want to create peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
But whether the deletion was a slight against Abbas or an attempt to hide an error, Palestinian officials say the removal is not a good sign.
Sanders called for a more even-handed approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and called into question supplying "endless amounts of money, of military support to Israel".
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said this week that Abbas markets an illusion and lacks legitimacy to represent the Palestinian people.
Abbas said Palestinians are not cultivating a hatred of Israel as he rejected Trump's position, which is also held by Netanyahu.
Despite his pro-Israeli campaign trail rhetoric, since entering the White House Mr Trump has caught some Israeli hard-liners off guard with the suggestion the Netanyahu coalition government should "hold back" on settlement building, and his administration has equivocated over whether the United States embassy will move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as promised.
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