Donald Trump has revealed the content of a letter he received from Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. The former President posted the letter to his Truth Social media account hours after he announced he would meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump said he was looking forward to meeting Mr. Netanyahu and bringing peace to the Middle East.
Mr. Abbas wrote the letter after Trump faced an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania and wished him a speedy recovery. Abbas called the shooting a “despicable” act and called for political resolution via “communication and freedom of expression.”
The former President replied with a note thanking Mr. Abbas, who has not communicated with Trump since he recognized Jerusalem as the Israeli capital city in 2017. Analysts suggest, therefore, that Abbas wants to open new lines of communication with Mr. Trump, particularly as he believes President Biden has not done enough to facilitate a peace agreement.
Trump devised a peace plan during his administration, but Abbas did not engage with him due to the Jerusalem issue. Additionally, the former President has previously stated that his efforts to bring peace to the region were met with resistance from Israel.
Meanwhile, the former President announced he would meet with Benjamin Netanyahu during his first trip to Capitol Hill since 2015. Netanyahu also met Vice President Kamala Harris, who later delivered a speech that analysts say attempted to bridge the divide between the two sides of the Middle East conflict. Ms. Harris affirmed her support for the Jewish state and its right to defend itself but added that she is deeply concerned about Palestinian civilian casualties. “We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering. And I will not be silent,” she said.
The Vice President spoke as protests raged throughout Washington, DC, involving anti-Israel demonstrators who burned American flags and demanded Mr. Netanyahu’s arrest. White House spokesman Andrew Bates called the protests “disgraceful” and accused demonstrators of “identifying with evil terrorist organisations.”
