Trump On Peace In Middle East: I Have A Feeling We'll Get There Eventually, I Hope
TEL AVIV, Israel (CBSNewYork) -- President Donald Trump delivered remarks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the second part of his first foreign trip on Monday.
As CBS2's Andreas Grymes reported from Jerusalem, Trump on Monday also became the first sitting president to visit the Western Wall.
The president landed in Tel Aviv Monday and was greeted by Netanyahu. He then spoke during a brief ceremony at the airport.
Trump was later welcomed to Netanyahu's residence before both leaders delivered remarks.
"I heard it's one of the toughest deals of all, but I have a feeling we will get there eventually, I hope," Trump said of peace between the Israelis and Palestinians.
Trump signed a guest book and toured Netanyahu's residence, as both sides agreed it was a great moment in time with great potential.
"I want to thank you for your deep commitment to Israel's security, its well-being and its future," Netanyahu said. "I have no doubt as we work together, you and I, the alliance between our countries will grow ever stronger."
"Today, we reaffirm the unbreakable bond of friendship between Israel and us -- a friendship built on shared belief on human dignity and our shared hope for an Israel," Trump said.
The Israeli prime minister recognized a major change in U.S. policy.
"I want to tell you also how much we appreciate the reassertion of American leadership in the Middle East," Netanyahu said. "I look forward to working closely with you to confront the dangers we face together in this violent and volatile Middle East."
"We are great allies," Trump continued. "We have so many opportunities in front of us, but we must seize them together."
The president's visit to the Western Wall in east Jerusalem came earlier on Monday. Trump, wearing a black skullcap, pressed his hand against the wall and left a prayer note.
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First Lady Melania Trump and the president's daughter, Ivanka Trump, visited the women's section of the wall.
Pres. Trump makes first visit by sitting U.S. commander in chief to the Western Wall, an important Jewish holy site https://t.co/sOwLJ2XsZk pic.twitter.com/nCKYKlGcII
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 22, 2017
Trump's visit was particularly significant because no sitting U.S. president has ever visited the Western Wall. The international community and the United States do not recognize it as part of Israel.
The gesture did not go unnoticed by New Yorkers living and visiting Israel.
"No kidding -- well it's about time. That's what I have about that," said Steven Fabry, a native of Red Hook, Brooklyn. "It's about time. It's fabulous."
"Frankly, I think the media is making this a little bit of a bigger deal that it has been," said Jason Picker, a native of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. "Obama himself went. The only issue was that he went prior to becoming President. It's the person that goes, not the title that they have when they come."
"I didn't know that, that he was the first sitting president to visit the Wall," said Jordana Brown of Jamaica Estates, Queens. "I think it's so important."
Trump earlier visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and met with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.
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"We have before us a rare opportunity to bring security and peace to this region and to its people, defeating terrorism and creating a future of harmony, prosperity and peace," Trump said. "But we can only get there working together. There is no other way."
uring a joint statement with Rivlin, Trump once again singled out Iran as a threat to stability in the region, CBS2's Grymes reported.
"Most importantly, the United States and Israel can declare with one voice that Iran must never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon - never ever - and must cease its deadly funding, training and equipping of terrorists and militias and it must cease immediately."
Security for Trump's visit will be tight.
"Over 10,000 police officers taking part in the two-day police operation, including counter-terrorist units, special patrol units, undercover units, and all the areas where the president will be visiting will be shut down, on lock down, throughout the visit," said Micky Rosenfeld with Israeli police.
On Tuesday, the president will meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. He will head to the Vatican from Israel for an audience with Pope Francis before closing his trip with meetings in Brussels and Sicily.
President Trump's presence here is raising hopes that Israel and the Palestinians may consider restarting the peace process, Grymes reported.
Andrea Grymes is reporting live from Jerusalem. You can catch more of her reports on Twitter at @AndreaGrymesTV.