The leader of the world’s Anglicans on Wednesday backed US President Donald Trump’s bid for fresh peace talks between Israel and Palestinians, saying “determined leadership” could tip the balance towards a resolution.
Speaking near the end of a 12-day trip to Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said Trump would be “in my prayers” when he visits the region later this month and attempts to restart the moribund peace process.
“We have known from history in this region that determined leadership by the United States, together with patient working by lots of other people in the background, often unknown, can tip things very, very decisively,” he told journalists in Jerusalem.
“When he comes here my prayer for him is he will be filled with determination and courage and given gifts of wisdom that will make a difference.”
Trump is expected to arrive in Israel on May 22 as part of his first foreign tour since his inauguration, though the date has not yet been officially confirmed.
The self-styled deal maker spoke last week in Washington with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas of his desire to seal the “toughest deal” of them all.
Welby said his trip had been about learning and understanding the complexities of the situation in the Middle East.
He also sought to clarify comments that had caused some criticism in the Israeli media regarding dialogue with Hamas.
The Islamist movement, which runs Gaza, is considered a terrorist organisation by Israel, and both sides reject direct negotiations.
Welby did not meet with Hamas officials during a trip to the Gaza Strip, but said there may be a time when it is necessary to speak to them directly.
Also considered a terrorist group by the United States and European Union, Hamas has been seeking to improve its reputation in the international community, including releasing a new policy document last week that somewhat eases its stance on Israel.
The Jewish state rejected the move by its long-term adversary, with which it has fought three wars since 2008, as window dressing.
“You look round some of the conflicts around the world in the past and you see people who have started in one place and have ended in a very, very different place and deeply committed to peace,” Welby said Wednesday.
He added that any such agreement would be predicated on Hamas saying it is committed to non-violence and to a political process.
Welby said that militant groups “can over time — at the right time when the politicians decide, if they are convinced that it is authentic — be brought to a place where it is good to talk to them.”
“I don’t know when it is. It certainly doesn’t look like now.”
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