President Trump on Friday invited Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the White House, spokesman Sean Spicer confirmed.
The two leaders spoke by phone Friday for the first time since Mr. Trump took office on Jan. 20.
“President Trump has extended an official invitation to President Abbas to visit the White House soon to discuss ways to resume the political process, stressing his commitment to a peace process that will lead to a real peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis,” said Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah.
Palestinians are concerned at the more favorable approach shown by Washington toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since Mr. Trump came to power. Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Trump have spoken on the phone at least twice since the inauguration, and Mr. Netanyahu visited Washington last month.
Palestinian officials indicated Mr. Abbas would emphasize his concern about Israeli settlement-building on occupied land and the need for a two-state solution to the conflict.
“President Abbas stressed the commitment to peace as a strategic choice to establish a Palestinian State alongside the state of Israel,” Mr. Abu Rdainah said, according to the official Palestinian WAFA news agency.
• This article is based on wire-service reports.
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