Trump to Palestinian leader: It’s time for a peace deal

President Trump spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas by phone Friday night, calling for a comprehensive agreement to end the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

“The President emphasized his personal belief that peace is possible and that the time has come to make a deal. The President noted that such a deal would not only give Israelis and Palestinians the peace and security they deserve, but that it would reverberate positively throughout the region and the world,” the White House release read.

Trump said that such a pact must be directly negotiated between Israel and Palestine, and the U.S. would work closely to help foster a deal. 

{mosads}”The President noted that the United States cannot impose a solution on the Israelis and Palestinians, nor can one side impose an agreement on the other,” the White House said. 

He also invited Abbas to visit the White House “in the near future.” 

Trump has vowed to be a steadfast ally of Israel, and recently met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

The U.S. has long advocated for a two-state solution for the dispute, but Trump abandoned that stance during a joint press conference with Netanyahu last month.

“I’m looking at two-state and one-state [solutions], and I like the one that both parties like,” he said. “I can live with either one.”

Trump’s remarks raised concerns in Palestine’s government that the Trump administration might not prove as friendly to its interests as past U.S. administrations. 

But the Trump administration has also warned that expanding Israeli settlements in Palestine-occupied territory won’t help peace negotiations. 

“I’d like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit,” Trump told Netanyahu at their press conference.