Trump travels to Bethlehem for talks with Palestinian president

[webfact]

Trump travels to Bethlehem for talks with Palestinian president

By Jeff Mason

REUTERS

 

U.S. President Donald Trump's motorcade crosses through an Israeli checkpoint as he arrives at the West Bank town of Bethlehem, May 23, 2017. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma

 

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump travelled in a high-security convoy to Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Tuesday to discuss Middle East peace with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

 

Much of central and southern Jerusalem was shut down to allow the presidential motorcade of around 60 vehicles to make its way from Trump's hotel to the town, just eight km (five miles) to the south.

 

To get to Bethlehem, the location of the Church of the Nativity, where Jesus is said to have been born, Trump passed through an Israeli checkpoint and a network of vast concrete blastwalls that separate the occupied territory from Israel.

 

The route took the president past the "Walled Off Hotel", a guesthouse run by the British graffiti artist Banksy that is designed to draw attention to the security infrastructure, which Israel says is there to protect against Palestinian attacks.

 

On one of the grey concrete walls, the convoy passed a portrait of Leila Khaled, a Palestinian militant who took part in two aircraft hijackings in 1969 and 1970.

 

Trump is expected to hold around 40 minutes of talks with Abbas, whom he met at the White House earlier this month, before the two issue separate statements. Trump will then travel back to Jerusalem to visit Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and deliver a speech at the Israel Museum.

 

During their White House talks, Trump praised Abbas, and said he looked forward to working with him to pursue peace between Israel and the Palestinians. But he did not mention what has long been the goal of U.S. diplomacy in the region - a two-state solution to the conflict: Israel and a Palestinian state.

 

Ahead of his visit to the Middle East, the second leg of a nine-day tour that began in Saudi Arabia and will move on to the Vatican, Italy and Belgium, administration officials indicated that Trump may talk about "Palestinian self-determination" in his public comments, a nod towards statehood.

 

During meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, Trump focused attention on the threat from Iran but also talked about the opportunities for peace in the region and how Saudi Arabia and other Arab states were shifting their stance, potentially opening a window for a peace agreement.

 

Palestinian officials say they are ready to resume negotiations with Israel that collapsed in 2014, but the road ahead remains challenging. Abbas is an unpopular leader, according to polls, and the Palestinian political landscape is split between his Fatah party and Hamas, the Islamist movement that is in control in the Gaza Strip and opposes negotiations with Israel.

 

In Gaza, a coastal territory around 60 km (35 miles) west of the West Bank that is under a land and sea blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt, demonstrations were expected later on Tuesday, following protests on Monday, to oppose Trump's visit to the region.

 

(Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta in Bethlehem and Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza; Writing by Luke Baker; Editing by Jeffrey Heller and Andrew Heavens)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-05-23

[soalbundy]

He will go back home as a born again orange

[elgordo38]

Release doves of peace Donald as your weapons for sale inventory seems rather depleted. Lets also hope you have a sliver of hope left. And the last shall be first hmm hardly in this case leftovers only and no gold chain for the Donald. 

[Jingthing]

The impact on peace between Israel and the Palestinians of trump's show trip will  be forgotten in a few days time. Nothing to see there.

[soalbundy]

Just now, Jingthing said:

The impact on peace between Israel and the Palestinians of trump's show trip will  be forgotten in a few days time. Nothing to see there.

I wouldn't say that,  he will probably make the situation worse bigly

[Jingthing]

4 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

I wouldn't say that,  he will probably make the situation worse bigly

I'm not seeing that yet. I saw a big show about basically nothing. Neither side has budged on the core values in the conflict based on his policies. The reality is that he has no plan. The silly part is his previous statements saying he could solve the conflict and that it really wasn't as complicated as most people think. 

[soalbundy]

18 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I'm not seeing that yet. I saw a big show about basically nothing. Neither side has budged on the core values in the conflict based on his policies. The reality is that he has no plan. The silly part is his previous statements saying he could solve the conflict and that it really wasn't as complicated as most people think. 

like the health care

[ballpoint]

My how the Bethlehem visitor trade has fallen.  From three wise men following a star, to one orange idiot following the money.

[Morch]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

The impact on peace between Israel and the Palestinians of trump's show trip will  be forgotten in a few days time. Nothing to see there.

 

Probably, but remains to be seen. His envoy is due a return visit and a follow-up round of talks - possibly to make sure implementation of certain measures is carried out, and maybe prepare the ground for moving things along some. There's also a planned meeting with Egypt's leader, beginning of next month, I think.

 

So no, there's not much substance, and not much evidence of a coherent plan. But because all involved parties are aware of Trump's ego issues, none wants to be "it" (as in dissolving his fantasies). This may lead somewhere, regardless of Trump's not having a clue.

[Jingthing]

Also keep in mind the reality that Israel is "dealing" with a president with a very significant chance of early removal from office. Then they would get Pence, very likely even more right wing on Israel policy than trump. It's clear the consensus in Israel is against any serious U.S. pressure on Israel towards a two state solution, and it's clear they won't get that from trump, and they'll get even less from Pence. Obama put more pressure than was welcome (though really, objectively not much) and we all know how unpopular he was in Israel. Status quo -- here we are, here we stay.

Edited May 24, 2017 by Jingthing

[iReason]

Trump Cancels Part Of His Trip Because Israel Isn't Allowing Him To Land His Helicopter At Biblical-Era Ancient Mountain Fortress 

 

"President Trump canceled his planned visit to Masada after Israeli officials notified him that he wasn’t authorized to land his helicopter at the 2,000-year-old ancient mountain fortress."

 

"Masada is not only an internationally-protected UNESCO World Heritage Site but a biblical-era site revered by Jews."

 

"It’s unclear why Trump refused to a land on a helicopter pad at the base of Masada, as his presidential predecessors have done."

 

http://www.dailywire.com/news/16629/trump-cancels-visit-because-hes-not-allowed-land-joshua-yasmeh

 

 

Clueless...

[Andaman Al]

52 minutes ago, ballpoint said:

My how the Bethlehem visitor trade has fallen.  From three wise men following a star, to one orange idiot following the money.

Well there certainly weren't any wise men there yesterday.

[Andaman Al]

5 minutes ago, iReason said:

Trump Cancels Part Of His Trip Because Israel Isn't Allowing Him To Land His Helicopter At Biblical-Era Ancient Mountain Fortress 

 

"President Trump canceled his planned visit to Masada after Israeli officials notified him that he wasn’t authorized to land his helicopter at the 2,000-year-old ancient mountain fortress."

 

"Masada is not only an internationally-protected UNESCO World Heritage Site but a biblical-era site revered by Jews."

 

"It’s unclear why Trump refused to a land on a helicopter pad at the base of Masada, as his presidential predecessors have done."

 

http://www.dailywire.com/news/16629/trump-cancels-visit-because-hes-not-allowed-land-joshua-yasmeh

 

 

Clueless...

I think he can't do heights, so the cable car is out of the question. You can fly in an aircraft and feel secure - no vertigo, but go up in the air on something more precarious and many people turn to jelly, in this case orange jelly.

[iReason]

Internet declares Trump’s Israel Holocaust Museum note akin to ‘high school yearbook’, compares to Obama’s

THE US President left a 19-word note at the sombre Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial that’s been likened to something a kid in highschool might write. (sub-title)

 

"A 19-word note left by the US President at the sombre Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Israel has been relentlessly mocked online and compared to the more thoughtful and considered note left by his predecessor, Barack Obama and another by Hillary Clinton."

 

"The note, scrawled in mixed capitals and finished with an exclamation mark, is similar in tone to one of the prolific tweeter’s posts, and has been compared to a note left in a high school yearbook, rather than one left at a memorial for the six million Jews killed by the Nazis."

 

“IT IS A GREAT HONOR TO BE HERE WITH ALL OF MY FRIENDS – SO AMAZING AND WILL NEVER FORGET!” Mr Trump wrote."

http://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/internet-declares-trumps-israel-holocaust-museum-note-akin-to-high-school-yearbook-compares-to-obamas/news-story/0267fb2828e88e7cdf67ecb5ae61972b

 

Deep.

[Morch]

46 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Also keep in mind the reality that Israel is "dealing" with a president with a very significant chance of early removal from office. Then they would get Pence, very likely even more right wing on Israel policy than trump. It's clear the consensus in Israel is against any serious U.S. pressure on Israel towards a two state solution, and it's clear they won't get that from trump, and they'll get even less from Pence. Obama put more pressure than was welcome (though really, objectively not much) and we all know how unpopular he was in Israel. Status quo -- here we are, here we stay.

 

Regional leaders will be well aware of his troubles back home. This may add to the "playing along" thing, as there might not be much of a commitment involved (if he's impeached, or boggled down with related issues). If (and that's still a big, distant if) Pence replaces him, I doubt he'd be in a position to focus on foreign affairs, or that's he'll see it as politically worthwhile.

 

Weird as it sounds, Trump might be the best current option (if, again, not by design and for the wrong reasons) for moving things along.

[Morch]

25 minutes ago, iReason said:

Trump Cancels Part Of His Trip Because Israel Isn't Allowing Him To Land His Helicopter At Biblical-Era Ancient Mountain Fortress 

 

"President Trump canceled his planned visit to Masada after Israeli officials notified him that he wasn’t authorized to land his helicopter at the 2,000-year-old ancient mountain fortress."

 

"Masada is not only an internationally-protected UNESCO World Heritage Site but a biblical-era site revered by Jews."

 

"It’s unclear why Trump refused to a land on a helicopter pad at the base of Masada, as his presidential predecessors have done."

 

http://www.dailywire.com/news/16629/trump-cancels-visit-because-hes-not-allowed-land-joshua-yasmeh

 

 

Clueless...

 

18 minutes ago, Andaman Al said:

I think he can't do heights, so the cable car is out of the question. You can fly in an aircraft and feel secure - no vertigo, but go up in the air on something more precarious and many people turn to jelly, in this case orange jelly.

 

Not sure if this was cancelled by Trump himself, or ruled out by his staff. One thing would be the height phobia, and security consideration might play their role too. POTUS on a cable car is quite the target, and the usual helicopter pad could be a dodgy choice - area is plagued by sinkholes.

 

No idea what speech was intended, but safe bet that it would have been of mark, with respect to the lessons related to the site.

 

[Morch]

10 minutes ago, iReason said:

Internet declares Trump’s Israel Holocaust Museum note akin to ‘high school yearbook’, compares to Obama’s

THE US President left a 19-word note at the sombre Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial that’s been likened to something a kid in highschool might write. (sub-title)

 

"A 19-word note left by the US President at the sombre Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Israel has been relentlessly mocked online and compared to the more thoughtful and considered note left by his predecessor, Barack Obama and another by Hillary Clinton."

 

"The note, scrawled in mixed capitals and finished with an exclamation mark, is similar in tone to one of the prolific tweeter’s posts, and has been compared to a note left in a high school yearbook, rather than one left at a memorial for the six million Jews killed by the Nazis."

 

“IT IS A GREAT HONOR TO BE HERE WITH ALL OF MY FRIENDS – SO AMAZING AND WILL NEVER FORGET!” Mr Trump wrote."

http://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/internet-declares-trumps-israel-holocaust-museum-note-akin-to-high-school-yearbook-compares-to-obamas/news-story/0267fb2828e88e7cdf67ecb5ae61972b

 

Deep.

 

He's got the best words....

[Andaman Al]

9 minutes ago, iReason said:

Internet declares Trump’s Israel Holocaust Museum note akin to ‘high school yearbook’, compares to Obama’s

THE US President left a 19-word note at the sombre Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial that’s been likened to something a kid in highschool might write. (sub-title)

 

"A 19-word note left by the US President at the sombre Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Israel has been relentlessly mocked online and compared to the more thoughtful and considered note left by his predecessor, Barack Obama and another by Hillary Clinton."

 

"The note, scrawled in mixed capitals and finished with an exclamation mark, is similar in tone to one of the prolific tweeter’s posts, and has been compared to a note left in a high school yearbook, rather than one left at a memorial for the six million Jews killed by the Nazis."

 

“IT IS A GREAT HONOR TO BE HERE WITH ALL OF MY FRIENDS – SO AMAZING AND WILL NEVER FORGET!” Mr Trump wrote."

http://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/internet-declares-trumps-israel-holocaust-museum-note-akin-to-high-school-yearbook-compares-to-obamas/news-story/0267fb2828e88e7cdf67ecb5ae61972b

 

Deep.

 

 

And in complete contract, the kind of message that one would expect of a President, rather than someone commenting as if they have just been to a theme park.

 

 

 

[Jingthing]

Low information voters voted in a low information president. No surprise what they got. 

Edited May 24, 2017 by Jingthing

[Andaman Al]

^^^

 

It is clear from his entry in the visitors book that as he has been shown around, he has not for a single moment contemplated on what he was seeing. The enormity, sadness and human emotion that would all be stirred by a visit to a place like this has not made it's way even a millimetre into the orange ones head. If it had done, it would be reflected in what he wrote. He has clearly gone round with an empty head nodding and saying yes, hmmm and had no idea what he was experiencing. - Sad!

[Trouble]

4 hours ago, Andaman Al said:

^^^

 

It is clear from his entry in the visitors book that as he has been shown around, he has not for a single moment contemplated on what he was seeing. The enormity, sadness and human emotion that would all be stirred by a visit to a place like this has not made it's way even a millimetre into the orange ones head. If it had done, it would be reflected in what he wrote. He has clearly gone round with an empty head nodding and saying yes, hmmm and had no idea what he was experiencing. - Sad!

All this comparison with what Obama wrote vs what Trump wrote is ludicrous. Obama did nothing for Israel in 8 years.  First off Obama was an idealist whereas Trump is a realist. For all of Obama's effort in 8 years to make America into something in his vision, in reality he accomplished very little and we will see what his legacy is in 20 or 30 years. Trump being a more pragmatic person, we will have to wait and see whether he is successful.  He may or may not succeed in bringing Israel and Palestine to some kind of peace but then no President has been able to do that. Each side must be willing to give up something and neither side wants to do that. His trip has been an ambitious one and let's hope he can get something out of this in the future.  Instead of everyone being so negative about things because of hatred, I say let's hope he can have some successes in the Middle East.  And yes, he was shown around on a fairly quick visit. For Jews I am sure this is some significant place to remember what happened during the war,  for others it's just another memorial to people killed under tragic circumstances.  I have been to the Killing Fields, I have been to the Armenian museum in Yerevan remembering their genocide. Visits like these bring to mind man's inhumanity to man but it's not like one can't see everyday how cruel the world can be, whether it is people in Kosovo, Africa or the Middle East killing each other over religion or ethnicity,  it keeps happening.  That should be the focus, not what happened in the past.  Remembering the past hasn't seemed to stop the carnage of the present. Let's not make a place of remembrance into a shrine.