US president vows to ‘do everything’ for Mideast peace

BETHLEHEM, Palestine (AA) – U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed “to do everything” to help the Palestinians and Israelis to achieve peace.

"I am committed to trying to achieve a peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians," Trump said during a press conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Tuesday.

“Abbas and [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu promised to do all they can and I look forward to working on lasting peace with these leaders,” he said.

Abbas, for his part, reiterated his commitment to the principle of the two-state solution.

“I assure you of our commitment to the two-state solution and to live together with our neighbors in security and peace," Abbas said.

U.S.-sponsored peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel collapsed in 2014 over the latter's refusal to halt settlement activity in the occupied territories.

Abbas stressed that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is not between religions.

“Respect of all religions is an inherent part of our beliefs," he said. “The problem is with the occupation and settlements, as well as the non-recognition of the state of Palestine.”

The Palestinian leader affirmed his willingness to cooperate with the U.S. administration to conclude a historic peace agreement with Israel.

"We hope history will record that President Trump is the one who has achieved peace," he said.

Abbas also raised the issue of the Palestinian prisoners who have been on hunger strike in Israeli jails for 37 days to demand better prison conditions.

“The cause of [the hunger strikers] is humane and just,” he said, “I call on the Israeli government to meet their humane and legitimate demands,” he added.