BICOM

Security arrangements have been heightened in preparation for the arrival of the US President in Israel later today.

US President Donald Trump and his entourage of over 1,000 delegates are due to arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport at 10:15am UK time. Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ministers will welcome him at a short state ceremony.

The two main issues on the agenda appear to be the continued strengthening of US-Israel relations and efforts to progress the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Netanyahu told his ministers that he and US President Trump will discuss “ways to strengthen even further the primary and strongest alliance with the US”.

He added: “We will strengthen security ties, which are strengthening daily, and we will also discuss ways to advance peace”.

Prime Minister Netanyahu also noted the significance of US President’s first overseas trip, which includes a visit to Jerusalem and the Western Wall. Last night, Israel began celebrations to mark the 50^th year since the 1967 Six-Day War and the reunification of the city.

US President Trump’s arrival to Israel comes amid efforts by the US to renew the peace process between the Palestinian Authority and Israel. A White House official noted that the US President has made “a general statement regarding his position and he hopes the Israeli government will take it into consideration,” and that “he was also very direct with [Palestinian Authority] President Abbas regarding incitement and the paying of stipends to the families of terrorists”.

President Trump will arrive in Israel from Saudi Arabia, where leaders were confident that the President can conclude a peace agreement. During a press conference with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said that “President Trump, with a new approach and determination, can bring a conclusion to this long conflict”.

He added: “He certainly has the vision, and we believe he has the strength and the decisiveness. And the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stands prepared to work with the United States in order to bring about peace between Israelis and Palestinians and Israelis and Arabs.”

Since his inauguration, the US President has repeatedly told reporters that he would like to broker an Israeli-Palestinian peace. In an interview with Israel Hayom, he said that “there is a great opportunity to reach a deal… I am working very hard so that finally the Israelis and Palestinians will have peace, and I hope that this can happen quicker than anyone ever imagined”.