Trump, Netanyahu express hope for peace ahead of New York meeting
(Photo credit) Reuters
The US president and the Israeli prime minister sit side by side and express their hopes for a fruitful collaboration at UN meeting.
US President Donald Trump expressed his faith in the success of future peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians on Monday as he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the United Nations General Assembly’s 72nd session.
When asked by the press about the state of the peace process, Trump said that “There’s a good chance that it will happen. I think with the capability of Bibi [nickname for Netanyahu] and frankly the other side, I think we have the chance. Israel would like to see it, Palestinians would like to see it. I can tell you that the Trump administration would like to see it.”
Netanyahu echoed Trump’s faith in the process, greeting the American president by saying: Mr. president, it’s great to see you. Under your leadership, the alliance between Israel and US has never been stronger. Never been deeper.”
The Israeli premier went on to suggest that the cooperation between the Jewish state and its great ally was deep “In ways people see and don’t see.”
Netanyahu expressed his hope that the US will eventually help ” to roll back Iran’s growing aggression in the region, especially in Syria.”
He also said that he would like to use the opportunity to “discuss how we can seize the opportunity for peace between Israel and the Palestinians and between Israel and the Arab world.”
Netanyahu concluded by saying he looked forward to the pair’s separate appearances in front of the UN General Assembly, saying that “Under President Trump, America’s position towards Israel at the UN has been unequivocal, it’s been strong, it’s got both clarity and conviction .I want to thank you from the people of Israel and Israel’s many friends around the world.”
He then finished with a greeting for the new Jewish year ahead. “As you well know, it is the Jewish new year this week. I want to wish you and Jewish people all over the world a happy and healthy new year. Shana Tova.”