President Donald J. Trump was warmly welcomed today in Bethlehem by President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority. President Trump again stressed his belief that peace between Israelis and Palestinians is possible. President Trump and President Abbas reaffirmed their commitment to reach for a genuine and lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis. President Trump stressed the importance of creating an environment consistent with the desire for peace. The two leaders discussed ways to advance negotiations and considered how Arab states might support those negotiations. President Abbas noted that he was ready to begin negotiating immediately.

President Trump and President Abbas condemned the terror attack that occurred in Manchester and offered condolences to the victims and the families of those who lost loved ones. The two leaders expressed their support for the Riyadh Summit leaders’ condemnation of terrorism and corresponding pledge to counter terrorist financing and combat extremist ideology. President Trump and President Abbas agreed to continue their discussions on the issue of payments to Palestinian prisoners and the need to improve the Palestinian economy.