More than 20 world leaders gathered in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday for a critical summit focused on ending the war in the Gaza Strip. While the formal discussions dominated the agenda, the New York Times reported one of the most intriguing moments of the day was a warm exchange between Trump and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
The New York Times detailed the unusual warmth between the two leaders. As the brief exchange between the pair concluded and the men posed for photographers, Trump patted Abbas’ hand twice while giving a thumbs-up sign and a large smile, a gesture the Palestinian leader returned with his own smile.
US President Donald Trump greets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of the peace summit in Egypt.Credit: Getty Images
Although their conversation could not be heard, the New York Times said the body language between the pair strongly suggested a significant step toward rapprochement in what has recently been a strained relationship.
Abbas was denied a US visa in September, preventing him from travelling to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. That meant he had to address the assembly by video link, and he missed a conference on Palestinian statehood hosted by France and Saudi Arabia — and about a dozen nations’ recognition of the state of Palestine.
Trump holds a signed document during a summit to support ending the more than two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza after a breakthrough ceasefire deal.Credit: AP
At the time, the Trump administration cited national security concerns in denying Abbas and his delegation visas, with the State Department stating it acted on the ground that the Palestinian Authority was “undermining the prospects for peace”.
Those tensions were not on show in the exchange between Abbas and Trump on Monday, or in the US president’s address to leaders at the summit in Egypt, the New York Times reported. As Trump spoke at Sharm el-Sheikh, he pointed to Abbas and said, “it’s good to have you”, drawing a round of applause.