Trump in Israel: ‘Rare opportunity’ to achieve peace in Middle East

London [U.K.], May 22 : After his meeting with the Muslim leaders in Saudi Arabia, United States President Donald Trump has said that the meet was "a rare opportunity" to bring peace to the strife-torn Middle Eastern region.

His comments came after he landed in Israel, thereby, becoming the first U.S. President to visit Western Wall amid the controversy between Israel and Palestine over sovereignty crisis.

"We have before us a rare opportunity to bring security and stability and peace to this region and to its people.

But we can only get there working together, there is no other way," The Telegraph quoted Trump, as saying.

Trump also said the meeting had given him "new reasons for hope" that peace could be achieved. In repose, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Israel also shares the commitment to peace that you expressed yesterday.

We've already made peace with Egypt and Jordan and Israel's hand is extended in peace to all our neighbours, including the Palestinians." Netanyahu also pointed out that it was difficult for any civilian aircraft to travel from Riyadh to Tel Aviv as both the nations do not have any diplomatic relations.

"I hope one day an Israeli Prime Minister can fly from Tel Aviv to Riyadh," he said. Trump will next meet Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem on Tuesday. According to reports, Trump is expected to have bilateral talks with Netanyahu and Palestine President Mahmud Abbas amid tight security.

The U.S. and Israeli recently have had clashes over the status of Palestine, after White House refused to Consider the Western Wall, one of Judaism's holiest sites, to be part of Israel.

This forced Netanyahu to declare that the Western Wall will "always be under Israeli sovereignty" and would never be given up during any peace talks.

During Trump's visit, the discussions are likely to be held on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, regional security issues and reaffirmation the U.S.' commitment to its alliance with Israel.

After his completing his Israel's visit, Trump will next head to the Vatican - home of the Catholic Church.

The U.S. President has earlier said that Israel and the Palestinian state will have to engage in direct talks to resolve all of their issues, including the contentious one of Israeli settlements.

Source: ANI