Posted on 02/04/25
| News Source: Arutz-7
US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening held a press conference following their meeting at the White House.
President Trump began the press conference and said that he is delighted to welcome Netanyahu back to the White House.
“We had fantastic talks. He’s the first foreign head of state to visit during our administration. Bibi, it’s an honor to have you with us,” he added, addressing Netanyahu directly.
Noting his accomplishments during his previous term in office, Trump expressed hope that additional countries will join the Abraham Accords.
“I really believe that many countries will soon be joining this amazing peace and economical development transaction. I think we’re going to have a lot of people signing up very quickly.”
“In our meetings today, the Prime Minister and I focused on the future, discussing how we can work together to ensure Hamas is eliminated and, ultimately, restore peace to a very troubled region,” said Trump.
On Gaza, the President once again spoke of his plan to relocate Gazans to several sites where they will be “able to live in comfort and peace”.
“The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we’ll own it, and be responsible for dismantling all the dangerous and unexploded bombs and other weapons, and get rid of the destroyed buildings, create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area.”
Netanyahu told Trump, “I’m honored that you invited me to be the first foreign leader to visit the White House in your second term. This is a testament to your friendship and support for the Jewish state and the Jewish people. I’ve said this before, I’ll say it again: You are the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.”
“In the first days of your second term, you picked up right where you left off. Your leadership helped bring our hostages home, among them American citizens, you freed up munitions that were withheld from Israel in the midst of a seven-front war for our existence. You ended unjust sanctions against law-abiding Israeli citizens. You boldly confronted the scourge of antisemitism. You stopped funding international organizations like UNRWA that support terrorists, and today you renewed the maximum pressure campaign against Iran. All this in just two weeks. Can you imagine where we’ll be in four years? I can. I know you can, Mr. President.”
Netanyahu noted Israel’s accomplishments since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and noted that “we must finish the job”.
He then told Trump, “I believe that your willingness to puncture conventional thinking, your willingness to think outside the box with fresh ideas, will help us achieve all these goals. You see things others refuse to see. You say things others refuse to say, and after the jaws drop, people scratch their heads and say, ‘You know what? He’s right.’”
“Israel will end the war by winning the war. Israel’s victory will be America’s victory. With your leadership, Mr. President, and our partnership, I believe that we will forge a brilliant future for our region and bring our great alliance to even greater heights.”
Responding to a question on normalization with Saudi Arabia, Trump said, “They want peace in the Middle East. It’s very simple. They want peace in the Middle East.”
On the ceasefire and hostage deal, Trump said, “I can’t tell you whether or not the ceasefire will hold. We’ve gotten quite a few hostages out. We’re going to get more out, but we’re dealing with very complicated people. We hope [the agreement] holds.”
Trump also said that he plans to visit Israel, Gaza Saudi Arabia and “other places all over the Middle East” though he did not specify when.
Asked who envisions living in Gaza after his plan is implemented, “The world’s people. I think you’ll make that into an international, unbelievable place. I think representatives from all over the world will live there. Palestinians will live there, many people will live there.”