Report: Trump to seek Arab support in ending Israel-Palestinian conflict
According to a report by the New York Times, President Trump is seeking the support of moderate Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt in helping to directly negotiate peace with Israel and the Palestinians.
According to the report, Trump sees that Netanyahu is also trying to strengthen ties with moderate Muslim countries as part of the fight against Iran, and as such, President Trump believes Saudi Arabia and Egypt can be of assistance.
However, Arab officials have informed officials in the Trump Administration that if the US seeks their assistance in resolving the conflict, the Americans will be required to change their approach in regards to issues which Arabs view as "defiant" by Israel, such as settlement construction and the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem.
According to the report, Trump has embraced the message.
On the heels of Netanyahu's visit
The NYT report comes just on the heels of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's first official visit to the White House since President Trump took office.
As a gesture of the atmosphere and honor President Trump is trying to set for the meeting, Prime Minister Netanyahu and his wife will be hosted in the Blair House, the official guest house of the White House.
Prior to the meeting between the two leaders, Netanyahu is expected to convene a meeting of the Security Cabinet, where official positions are to be solidified on settlement construction, negotiations with the Palestinians and Israel's position on the Iranian nuclear deal.
Netanyahu has already met with senior security officials in order to receive a complete brief on sensitive matters before his meeting with President Trump. The Minister of Defense, Chief of Staff, Chief of the Mossad and Head of the Directorate of Military Intelligence's research department were all present for the meeting.
Minister of Education, Naftali Bennett, is expected to pressure Netanyahu heavily during the meeting to retreat from statements Netanyahu previously made regarding settlements. Officials are worried that Netanyahu is "inviting" pressure from Trump in order to alleviate pressure on himself by Bennett.
