Trump: The U.S. or any other country cannot impose peace on Palestinians or Israelis

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, met and discussed with Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, on Wednesday, May 2, at the White House. According to reports, Mr. Trump called for the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian talks in a press conference before the meeting and emphasized "America's commitment to working with both sides towards peace." The U.S. President stated that his administration is "working hard to restart political negotiations" but noted that "the U.S. or any other country cannot impose peace on the parties." Donald Trump also mentioned that he is "willing to act as a mediator, observer, and facilitator of the peace process." The U.S. President praised the security cooperation and coordination between the Palestinian Authority's forces and Israel as an "incredible" practice. At the same time, he stated that the forces affiliated with the Palestinian Authority should also cooperate with Israel to "defeat ISIS and other terrorist forces." He urged Mahmoud Abbas and other Palestinian leaders to "unite against violence and hatred," adding that if this does not happen, "there will be no hope for peace." The U.S. President also stated that his administration would provide new budgets to improve the economic situation of Palestinians to the Palestinian Authority. According to reports, the President of the Palestinian Authority also expressed hope in a press conference on Wednesday at the White House that Palestinian cooperation with the U.S. government would lead to peace with Israel. Mahmoud Abbas said he is "confident" that Donald Trump can achieve a "historic peace" between Palestinians and Israelis. However, he criticized Israel, stating that Israel's occupying actions must end to pave the way for renewed political talks with Palestinians. Abbas referred to Israel's extensive settlement activities in recent years; the Israeli Ministry of Housing recently announced plans to build 25,000 more homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Abbas considered the realization of the two-state solution (national independence for Palestinians alongside Israel) as a "strategic solution" that would lead to peace. Mahmoud Abbas also stated that the Arab Peace Initiative provides an opportunity for Israel to normalize relations with Arab countries. The Arab League's peace plan calls for Israel to return lands it occupied during the 1967 war to enjoy full relations with all member states of the league. The last round of real negotiations between Israel and Palestinians took place a decade ago, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims he is also ready to resume talks with Palestinians. Wednesday's meeting was the first between the U.S. President and the Palestinian Authority President since Trump's administration began. Donald Trump had never met with any Palestinian officials during his presidential campaign or after entering the White House. However, he did meet with Netanyahu during his election efforts and shortly after taking office. The U.S. President recently confirmed that efforts are underway to prepare for his trip to Israel; Israeli media have mentioned May 22 as the date for this visit. While Israeli officials have expressed hope that Mr. Trump will announce the relocation of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem during his visit, Palestinians, as well as the King of Jordan and the President of Egypt, have recently warned the U.S. about the "serious consequences" of this action. Meanwhile, the U.S. President's meeting with the Palestinian Authority President occurred as the Palestinian movement Hamas has also accepted the establishment of a Palestinian state within the borders of 1967 for the first time. Khaled Mashal, the head of Hamas's political bureau, announced on Monday at a meeting in Qatar that the revised charter of Hamas includes a strategic change in the movement's perspective. In the revised charter, Hamas has removed the "effort to destroy Israel" but has emphasized that it does not recognize Israel's existence and considers "armed struggle" as a reserved "right." According to CNN, Khaled Mashal on Tuesday urged the U.S. government to abandon its "perpetual wrong policies" towards Palestinians and adopt a "new position towards Hamas." Fatah has also asked its rival Hamas to apologize to the movement led by Mahmoud Abbas for "thirty years of insult and criticism of Fatah's conciliatory approach."