Trump and Netanyahu sit down in White House
The two leaders are sitting in front of a fire at the White House, taking questions from the media.
A reporter asked Trump if he felt he should earn the Nobel Peace Prize if the ceasefire holds and the Israeli captives in Gaza are released.
“I deserve it, but they will never give it to me,” Trump replied.
Trump reiterates that Jordan and Egypt must take Palestinians
Trump repeated his claim that Gaza is a “demolition zone” and that Palestinians should be relocated to countries such as Egypt and Jordan.
“I think Jordan and Egypt — they say they’re not going to accept, but I say they will. But I think other countries will accept also,” he said.
“If you look at Gaza, there’s hardly a building standing, and the ones that are standing are going to collapse. You can’t live in Gaza right now. You need another location, and I think it should be a location that’s going to make people happy. You look over the decades, it’s all death in Gaza. This has been happening for years, it’s all death.”
Trump explained he would like to “settle people permanently” in “a beautiful area” outside of Gaza where they can “be happy”.
By and large, Palestinians have firmly rejected being pushed out of Gaza and resettled elsewhere.
Trump says Saudi Arabia not demanding Palestinian state for Israel deal
The US president answers with a definitive “no” when asked whether Saudi Arabia is demanding the establishment of a Palestinian state to forge formal ties with Israel.
Trump’s assertion contradicts numerous official Saudi Arabian statements over the past years, stressing the kingdom’s commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative, which premises diplomatic recognition of Israel on the condition that a Palestinian state be established.
Praising Netanyahu, Trump says ‘a deal can get done’
Speaking about negotiations on the next phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, Trump has told reporters: “Everyone’s demanding one thing. You know what that is? Peace.”
Turning to Netanyahu who was sitting beside him, Trump said, “And he wants peace also.”
“We’re dealing with a very complex group of people, situation and people, but we have the right man,” Trump added.
“We have the right leader of Israel. He’s done a great job, and we’ve been friends for a long time.”
Netanyahu reiterates his aim to meet all ‘war goals’ in Gaza
When asked by a journalist about his commitment to bringing home Israeli captives held by Hamas, the Israeli prime minister reiterated that is one of several aims he hopes to achieve.
“I support getting all the hostages out and meeting all our war goals,” he said.
“That includes destroying Hamas’s military and governing capabilities and making sure that Gaza never poses a threat to Israel.”
Netanyahu met with evangelical leaders in Washington, DC
Since arriving in Washington, DC, on Sunday, Netanyahu has had a number of other meetings in the capital, including with evangelical Christian leaders.
Israel’s UN envoy Danny Danon said in a post on social media that Netanyahu met on Monday with former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Trump’s nominee for US ambassador to Israel.
In the past, Huckabee has said, “There is really no such thing as a Palestinian,” citing the Christian bible as a justification.
Many of Israel’s staunchest supporters in the US are evangelicals, in part because some share the belief that biblical prophecies link modern-day wars in Israel to the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Meanwhile, a schedule of Netanyahu’s visit did not appear to include American Jewish leaders, with whom Netanyahu has “had a rockier relationship” over the years, according to The Times of Israel.
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee says he has been to Israel over 100 times
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