WASHINGTON — Defying expectations when Donald Trump came into office that his administration would tilt heavily to the Israeli side, Trump hosted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for an upbeat visit at the White House on May 3 and declared that he did not think it would be too hard to get an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal. 

“We want to create peace between Israel and the Palestinians. We will get it done,” Trump said in brief joint remarks with Abbas in the White House Roosevelt Room. “And I think there's a very, very good chance, and I think you feel the same way.”

“We will start a process, which hopefully will lead to peace,” Trump said before hosting Abbas and his delegation for a lunch of halibut and beef. “Over the course of my lifetime, I've always heard perhaps the toughest deal to make is between the Israelis and Palestinians. Let's see if we can prove them wrong, OK?" 

A relaxed and smiling Abbas offered just as upbeat of remarks on the prospects of reaching a deal for a two-state solution that has eluded the last several administrations going back to Bill Clinton's, and he said he was especially optimistic because of Trump’s determination and special deal-making abilities.