Trump in Israel says ‘rare opportunity’ to bring peace to region

Written by Erdy Peletina on

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US President Donald Trump (C-L) and First Lady Melania Trump (C-R) listen to the their national anthem as they are welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2R), his wife Sara (R), Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (2L), and his wife Nehama (L), during a welcome ceremony upon their arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv on May 22, 2017, as part of his first trip overseas. / AFP PHOTO / Jack GUEZ
US President Donald Trump (C-L) and First Lady Melania Trump (C-R) listen to the their national anthem as they are welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2R), his wife Sara (R), Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (2L), and his wife Nehama (L), during a welcome ceremony upon their arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv on May 22, 2017, as part of his first trip overseas. / AFP PHOTO / Jack GUEZ

TEL AVIV, Israel (AFP) – US President Donald Trump spoke of a “rare opportunity” to bring stability to the region as he landed in Israel on Monday to seek ways to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.

Trump also hailed the “unbreakable bond” between the United States and Israel as he spoke at a brief ceremony at the airport in Tel Aviv after landing.

“On my first trip overseas as president, I have come to this sacred and ancient land to reaffirm the unbreakable bond between the United States and the state of Israel,” Trump said.

He said later: “We have before us a rare opportunity to bring security and stability and peace to this region and to its people, defeating terrorism and creating a future of harmony, prosperity and peace. But we can only get there working together. There is no other way.”

Trump will hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later in the day and travel to the occupied West Bank on Tuesday to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.

© Agence France-Presse