image U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd L) and first lady Melania Trump (3rd L) walk with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd R), his wife Sara (R) and David Friedman (Center back), the new United States Ambassador to Israel, upon their arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod near Tel Aviv, Israel May 22, 2017. REUTERS/Amir Cohen TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX36Z81

Trump concludes two-day visit to Israel and Palestinian territories

US President Donald Trump concluded his two day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories this afternoon, with an official farewell ceremony in honor of the American leader at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion international airport. Following a state dinner, last night, hosted at the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem, President Donald Trump reaffirmed the special bond of friendship between Israel and the United States, while declared his hope to see Israel at lasting peace. “This is a land filled with beauty wonder and the Spirit of God. I’ve been amazed by the glorious and beautiful monuments and holy sites and the generosity of your incredible people because it’s all about the people.” He added, “Today we reaffirm the unbreakable bond of friendship between Israel and the United States, a friendship built on our shared love of freedom, our shared belief in human dignity and our shared hope for an Israel at lasting peace. We want Israel to have peace”, US President Donald Trump said.

President Trump noted Prime Minister Netanyahu’s willingness to work toward a peaceful solution to Israel’s decades old conflict with the Palestinians, while pointing to a new level of regional partnership that would bring about a necessary foundation that could assist it making peace a reality. “We are willing to work together I believe that a new level of partnership is possible and will happen. One that will bring greater safety to this region, greater security to the United States and greater prosperity to the world this includes a renewed effort at peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians and I thank the Prime Minister for his commitment to pursuing the peace process, he is working very hard at it, it’s not easy I have heard it’s one of the toughest deals of all but I have a feeling that we’re going to get there eventually,” President Trump said.

President Trump also pointed to a pledge made by Muslim leaders, during his trip to Saudi Arabia, to cooperate with the United States in confronting terrorism, an encouraging pledge the American leader emphasized was vital in eradicating the violent ideologies that caused so much bloodshed and killing around the world. “These leaders voice concerns we all share about ISIS about Iran’s rising ambitions and rolling back its gains and about the Menace of extremism that has spread through too many parts of the Muslim world. I’m encouraged that they pledged cooperation to confront terrorism and the hateful ideology that drives it so hard. America welcomes the action and support of any nation willing to do the hard but vital work in eradicating the violent ideologies that have caused so much needless bloodshed and killing here and all over the world we are willing to work together,” President Trump said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed President Trump’s efforts to advance regional peace, as former enemies of Israel, including Saudi Arabia among others, are becoming partners in the midst of common dangers, ‘specifically the growing threat of Iran’.  “I also look forward to working closely with you to advance peace in our region. Because you have noted so succinctly that common dangers are turning former enemies into partners and that’s where we see something new and potentially something very promising, it won’t be simple but for the first time in many years and Mr. president for the first time in my lifetime I see a real hope for change,” Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu also took the opportunity to voice Israel’s appreciation with regard to Washington’s change of policy in confronting the danger of Iran and its allies in the region, a change of US policy that has brought about the reassertion of American leadership in the Middle East. “I want you to know how much we appreciate the change in American policy on Iran, which you enunciated so clearly just an hour ago I want you to know how much we appreciate your bold decision to act against the use of chemical weapons in Syria and I want to tell you also how much we appreciate the reassertion of American leadership in the Middle East. I look forward to working closely with you to confront the dangers we face together in this violent and volatile Middle East I believe that together we could roll back Iran’s march of aggression and terror in this region and we can thwart Iran’s unbridled ambition to become a nuclear weapons State, PM Netanyahu said.