Donald Trump's Emphasis on Closer Cooperation with Israel to 'Combat Terrorism'

On Monday, May 22, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, arrived in Tel Aviv, stating that he came to Israel to emphasize the 'unbreakable alliance' with a country he 'loves and respects.' Mr. Trump and Melania, the First Lady of the United States, along with a large delegation of 1,500 people, arrived in Israel as part of his first foreign trip, following Saudi Arabia. Upon exiting Air Force One at Ben Gurion Airport, the President spoke of the 'unprecedented opportunity for security, peace, and stability.' Donald Trump referred to the land he stepped on as 'sacred, ancient, and rich in history,' stating that 'Israel has created one of the strongest and most amazing civilizations and has brought its people to prosperity with determination.' According to Mr. Trump, 'the people of Israel have resolved that the horrific events of the last century should not be repeated; and to create a future where the nations of the region live in peace and their children live in security, free from the shadow of terror and violence, we must cooperate with each other.' Trump noted that he arrived in Israel from Saudi Arabia and recalled his discussions the day before with the Saudi king and Arab leaders in Riyadh. The U.S. President said that his hope for a better future was strengthened by the recent negotiations, as he reached a 'historic pact' with Arab leaders to 'combat terrorism and the cruel ideology.' Trump also stated that in the fight against terrorism, the U.S. looks forward to closer cooperation with Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his welcoming remarks for Trump, referred to him by his first name to show intimacy, calling Trump's arrival a 'historic event.' Netanyahu also noted the unprecedented nature of the flight carrying the U.S. President directly from Riyadh to Tel Aviv. He expressed hope that he too would soon fly directly from Tel Aviv to Riyadh as Prime Minister of Israel. Netanyahu told Trump, 'You spoke yesterday in your speech in Saudi Arabia about the necessity for nations to combat terrorism and extremism; this is exactly what Israel has been doing for the past 69 years (since its independence).' He stated that his country extends its hand for peace to all neighbors so that the peace it has with Egypt and Jordan can also include a 'true and lasting peace' with the Palestinians, and 'this conflict should end once and for all.' Reuven Rivlin, the President of Israel, also welcomed Trump, calling him the President of 'Israel's most important ally.' Rivlin said, 'The Middle East needs a strong America, and Israel needs a powerful America; but America also needs a strong Israel.' According to the Israeli President, the fact that Donald Trump came to Israel after visiting Saudi Arabia and then goes to the Vatican highlights the importance of these lands for the monotheistic religions of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. Rivlin also stated, 'We all have one God, and we can cooperate for a better future.' It was previously reported that Benjamin Netanyahu would dedicate his working meeting with Trump on Monday evening to addressing Iran's regional policies, confronting Iran's missile development plans, and opposing the permanent military presence of Iran and Hezbollah in Syria. On Tuesday, Trump will meet Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, in Bethlehem in the West Bank for the second time in less than a month, but it has been announced that there is little chance for a three-way negotiation involving Trump, Netanyahu, and Abbas. According to Reuters, Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State accompanying Trump on this trip, stated that the President is ready for personal mediation in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.