Davos, Switzerland: President Donald Trump insisted Thursday thatPalestinians had “disrespected” the United States and threatened towithhold aid worth hundreds of millions of dollars until they agree toUS-brokered peace talks.
“They disrespected us a week ago by not allowing our great vice presidentto see them,” Trump said during a meeting with Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu in Davos, Switzerland.
“We give them hundreds of millions,” Trump added. “That money is not goingto them unless they sit down and negotiate peace.”
Palestinians were infuriated by Trump´s recent decision to recogniseJerusalem as Israel´s capital — which for decades both sides agreed wouldbe the subject of negotiation.
Facing severe pressure at home, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas respondedby cancelling a planned meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence.
Palestinians, who also consider the divided city their capital, took to thestreets in deadly riots after Trump´s decision.
During the meeting with Netanyahu in Davos, Trump tried to convince adeeply sceptical Arab world that he could still be an honest broker.
“We have a proposal for peace. It is a great proposal for thePalestinians,” Trump claimed, adding that Israel would also be forced tomake concessions.
But Trump also doubled down, saying he would move the US embassy toJerusalem as soon as next year, despite no suitably sized building existing.
“We anticipate having a small version of it open sometime next year,” Trumpsaid. – AFP
Netanyahu warmly welcomed Trump´s “historic decision”, saying it”recognises history, recognizes a certain reality, built on the basis oftruth.”