Trump emphatically backs two-state solution, hopes for a deal in his first term

US President Donald Trump says the US is “with Israel 100%,” following a closed door meeting with Netanyahu on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Trump, with the prime minister alongside him, says Netanyahu thanked him for moving the US embassy to Jerusalem earlier this year. He says the move “I guess was controversial, but it’s turned out to be very positive in many ways.”

He also says that he is “very much in favor of what Israel is doing as far as their defense is concerned. They’re aggressive, and they have no choice be to be aggressive. It’s a very difficult part of the world.”

“We are here, we are with Israel 100%,” he adds.

Hebrew-language media says the two leaders met behind closed doors at Netanyahu’s request.

Says Trump: “We took probably the biggest chip off the table. Israel got the first chip and it’s a big one.”

Asked whether the Palestinians will come back to the negotiating table, Trump says: “Absolutely. 100%”

He adds: “We were paying them $500 million a year. Now we pay nothing a year. For years we were abused by the Palestinian leadership, and that’s stopped. [The money] will come back. They will be coming back to the table, and they want to.”

Asked whether he backs a two-state deal, Trump is explicit: “I like the two state solution. That’s what I think works best. I don’t even have to speak to anybody, that’s my feeling. [He motions to Netanyahu.] You may have a different feeling, I don’t think so, but that’s mine.” [Netanyahu does not respond.]

He adds: “I want a plan that’s solid, understood by both sides, really semi-agreed by both sides before we present. I would say two-three-four months.”

He says he aims to reach a deal in his first term in office, because he’ll focus on other issues in his second term.