UPDATE: Here's the readout of the meeting from the White House.
Senior Advisor to the President Jared Kushner, Assistant to the President and Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt, and United States Ambassador to Israel David Friedman met today in Jerusalem with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and his senior advisors. The meeting was productive and the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing President Trump’s goal of a genuine and lasting peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians that enhances stability in the region. The three United States officials discussed Israel’s priorities and potential next steps with Prime Minister Netanyahu, acknowledging the critical role Israel plays in the security of the region. The United States officials and Israeli leadership underscored that forging peace will take time and stressed the importance of doing everything possible to create an environment conducive to peacemaking. Kushner and Greenblatt are also meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority and his senior advisors in Ramallah. After their meetings, Kushner and Greenblatt plan to return to Washington, D.C. to brief the President, Secretary of State Tillerson, and National Security Advisor McMaster and to continue the conversation about next steps.
Special White House Advisor Jared Kushner and Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt have arrived in Israel for peace talks. Earlier today, Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. Ambassador David Friedman, Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer and other officials in Jerusalem.
"This is an opportunity to pursue our common goals of security, prosperity and peace," Netanyahu said upon greeting Kushner, who expressed regards from President Trump.
PM Benjamin Netanyahu is meeting now with Jared Kushner, Jason Greenblatt & US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman. pic.twitter.com/t1LI0g0Meg
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) June 21, 2017
Upon arrival, Kushner first visited the family of an Israeli police officer killed in a terrorist attack late last week. After their meeting with Netanyahu, Kushner and Greenblatt met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.
Kushner's trip comes on the heels of President Trump's first visit to the Jewish State last month, where he became the first sitting U.S. President to visit the Western Wall. Trump met with Netanyahu and Abbas in hopes of making what he calls the ultimate deal.
"Making peace will not be easy. We all know that. Both sides will face tough decisions. But with determination, compromise, and the belief that peace is possible, Israelis and Palestinians can make a deal," Trump said during a speech at the Israel Museum.
"Let us dream of a future where Jewish, Muslim, and Christian children can grow up together and live together in trust, harmony, tolerance, and respect," he continued. "We pray and we hope that children around the world will be able to live without fear, to dream without limits, and to prosper without violence. I ask this land of promise to join me to fight our common enemies, to pursue our shared values, and to protect the dignity of every child of God."
Join the conversation as a VIP Member