Donald Trump says Palestinians must return to peace with Israel before receiving US aid | London Evening Standard

Donald Trump says Palestinians must return to peace with Israel before receiving US aidDonald Trump: The US leader speaks during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuAP

Donald Trump has said Palestinians must return to peace talks with Israel to receive US aid money.

It comes after the US President’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital sparked a global backlash.

The move, which came late last year, angered Arab nations and led Palestinians to refuse negotiations with the US.

Mr Trump’s latest comments came as he opened a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an economic summit in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday.

Davos: US President Donald Trump speaks with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic ForumAFP/Getty Images

He said US aid to the Palestinians is “on the table”, but that they would not get it “unless they sit down and negotiate peace”.

Mr Netanyahu praised Mr Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital and to move the US Embassy there from Tel Aviv.

The US leader’s deeply contentious move led to widespread protests across the Middle East.

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Moving the embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city was likely to threaten to reignite tensions in the Israel-Palestinian conflict and jeopardise future hopes for peace there.

Today’s developments also came as Mr Trump dismissed “false rumours” of tensions between himself and Prime Minister Theresa May.

Speaking earlier at the Davos World Economic Forum, he denied there was any rift between them, adding: “We love your country”.

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