The Heat: Trump in the Middle East

The Heat

President Donald Trump participates in a departure ceremony before boarding Air Force One, Tuesday, May 23, 2017, in Jerusalem. Trump is going to Rome for the next leg of his international trip. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

U.S. President Donald Trump has wrapped up his visit to the Middle East after stops in Saudi Arabia, Israel and the occupied West Bank.

On Tuesday, he was in Bethlehem where he met with the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas. Trump hopes to re-open a peace process between the Israelis and Palestinians. Negotiations between the two sides broke down in 2014. It’s a challenge he has called the “ultimate deal.”

Trump also visited Israel where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. And, while Trump offered no new details on how to achieve progress between the Israelis and Palestinians he urged Netanyahu and Abbas to work for peace.

“Making peace, however, 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.

Trump also discussed terrorism on this trip and denounced the Monday night attack in Manchester, England, that killed more than 20 and injured about 60 people.

Tonight’s panel takes look at President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East:

  • Dan Arbell, former deputy chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy in Washington
  • Raghida Dergham, columnist and senior diplomatic correspondent for Al Hayat
  • Khalil Jahshan, executive director of the Arab Center in Washington D.C.