Despite Terror Concerns, Trump Confident He Can Broker Peace Between Israelis, Palestinians
WASHINGTON D.C. (CBSNewYork) -- There was talk Wednesday, of a new opportunity for peace in the Middle East. It's the result of a meeting at the White House between President Trump and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.
As CBS2's Andrea Grymes reported, Abbas lauded Trump's 'courageous stewardship' and his negotiating skills, saying peace is achievable.
"I think there is a very, very good chance, and I think you feel the same way," Trump said.
It brought an air of optimism to the White House.
President Trump promised he might be able to do what eluded his predecessors for decades -- brokering peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
"It's something that I think is frankly maybe not as difficult as people have thought over the years. But we need two willing parties," Trump said.
"Mr. President, you have the determination to be successful," Abbas said.
It will take a lot of negotiating from here.
Abbas called for a two-state solution based on 1967 borders with the Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem.
"It's about time for Israel to stop occupying our land," he said.
Those parameters will likely not sit well with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who visited the White House back in February.
"We must retain security control west of the Jordan River," he said at the time.
At that meeting President Trump asked Netanyahu to hold off on building new settlements.
Israel had been rapidly expanding construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem -- something many see as a hinderance to peace.
During lunch with Abbas, Trump raised concerns about Palestinian payments to terrorists and their family members.
"There can be no lasting peace unless the Palestinian leaders speak in a unified voice against incitements to violence and hate," he said.
Abbas promised they are raising their youth in a culture of peace.
The president has said he's open to whatever deal the Israelis and Palestinians broker whether or not it involves a two-state solution.
He said he would like to be the mediator.
"Over my lifetime, I've heard the toughest deal to make is peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Let's see if we can prove them wrong," Trump said.
Abbas said a peace deal would help fight terrorism, including ISIS.
The White House also said Trump is still considering moving the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, but nothing has been decided.
In the meantime, the president will return to New York for the first time since his inauguration. He's expected at a meeting and event Thursday night at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on Manhattan's West Side.