Trump lands in Israel as he continues international trip

The visit is part of a carefully constructed theme of Trump’s first foreign trip as president.

Trump promised during his campaign to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, but has since backed off that pledge – at least for now.

Trump has yet to offer a diplomatic initiative to restart negotiations, no less break the broader political impasse.

Earlier this month, Trump met with Abbas in the White House and pledged to broker the “ultimate deal” to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

From there Trump was to be whisked by helicopter to Jerusalem to start a 28-hour visit heavy on symbolism and littered with political minefields.

“Many of the Gulf Arabs have increasingly awakened to the reality that their real challenge comes not from Israel, but rather from Iran, and the prospects of their uniting to do something to try to reduce their differences with Israel. creates an opportunity”, former Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell said Monday on CNN.

“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 in remarks at the welcome ceremony after he reviewed the honor guard and was welcomed by Israel’s leaders, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin.

“I have found new reasons for hope”, said Trump upon arriving at the Ben-Gurion International Airport. His son-in-law Jared Kushner and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson touched the wall and prayed.

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan informed Trump of a possible attack in Tel Aviv that transpired while the president was airborne. As with numerous president’s problems, it was self-inflicted.

Palestinian residents appeared ambivalent about the high-profile visit, echoing the belief that Trump’s visit was no different than those of other USA leaders before him and entertaining little hope in his ability to reach a final peace settlement. Yuval Steinitz, a senior Cabinet minister and Netanyahu confidant, called Saudi Arabia “a hostile country” and said the deal was “definitely something that should trouble us”.

“They’re all saying I did, so you have another story wrong”, he told reporters.

Trump himself quelled the frenzy, extending his hands to to quiet the shouting and declaring, twice, that he didn’t mention Israel in his conversation with the Russians.

If the deal is undone, and Iran resumes its race toward a nuclear weapon, Israel might not feel secure enough to give up territory.

After Trump landed in Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed “hope that one day an Israeli prime minister will be able to fly from Tel Aviv to Riyadh“.

For his part, Netanyahu downplayed the incident.

Netanyahu then said “intelligence cooperation is terrific. It’s never been better”.

President Trump’s nine-day trip through the Middle East and Europe will end on Saturday – after visits to the Vatican, Brussels and Sicily.

And so Trump is mixing religious symbolism with his substantive discussions. It’s considered to be one of the holiest places in the Jewish faith.

His first stop will be the Kaneesat al-Qeyaamah, or Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built at the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. Fireworks later lighted the skies over Jerusalem.

Trump, wearing a black skullcap, on Monday became the first sitting president to visit the Western Wall.

Trump took a direct flight from Riyadh to Tel Aviv, believed to be the first direct flight between Saudi Arabia and Israel.