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Trump on Iran 'Routinely' Calling for Israel's Destruction: 'Not With Donald J. Trump, Believe Me'

May 23, 2017

President Donald Trump on Tuesday spoke at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, where he delivered a stern warning to Iran about calling for Israel's destruction.

Trump reiterated that the United States is "firmly committed to keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and halting their support of terrorists and militias."

"So we are telling you right now that Iran will not have nuclear weapons," the president added, standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump also received applause from the crowd for pledging to Israel that his administration would "stand by you and defend our shared values so that together we can defeat terrorism and create safety for all of God's children."

"Israelis are murdered by terrorists wielding knives and bombs," Trump said. "Hamas and Hezbollah launch rockets into Israeli communities where school children have to be trained to hear the sirens and to run to the bomb shelters with fear but with speed. ISIS targets Jewish neighborhoods, synagogues, and store fronts."

"And Iran's leaders routinely call for Israel's destruction," the president added. "Not with Donald J. Trump. Believe me."

Trump also said he believes it is possible for the Israelis and the Palestinians to reach a peace deal and that he would continue to work with both sides.

"Making peace, however, will not be easy," Trump said. "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 spoke earlier on Tuesday with President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, who he described as someone eager to keep trying to reach an agreement.

"As I have repeatedly said, I'm personally committed to helping Israelis and Palestinians achieve a peace agreement. And I had a meeting this morning with President Abbas and can tell you that the Palestinians are ready to reach for peace," Trump said. "I know you've heard it before."

Prior to that meeting, Netanyahu encouraged Trump to put pressure on Abbas to stop the policy of paying the families of Palestinian terrorists who are killed attacking Jews.

"I hope that President Abbas heeds the principles, the clear, strong, moral, and practical principles that you enunciated today, President Trump," Netanyahu said. "Stop rewarding terrorists, stop glorifying murderers."

"And as you said this morning, Mr. President, funding and rewarding terrorism must end. Standing next to you, President Abbas condemned the horrific attack in Manchester," Netanyahu added. "Well, I hope this heralds a real change. Because if the attacker had been Palestinian and the victims had been Israeli children, the suicide bomber's family would have received a stipend from the Palestinian authority. That's Palestinian law. That law must be changed."