President Trump is planning to travel to Israel, the Vatican and Saudi Arabia during his first foreign trip later this month.
“I am proud to make a major and historic announcement this morning, and to share with you that my first foreign trip as president of the United States will be to Saudi Arabia, then Israel and then to a place that my cardinals love very much, Rome,” Trump said in the Rose Garden at the White House on Thursday.
Trump: "My first foreign trip as President of the United States will be to Saudi Arabia, than Israel…and Rome" https://t.co/YPeUGG1HSn pic.twitter.com/SqIdF2MEPd— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) May 4, 2017
“These visits will take place ahead of the NATO G-7 meetings, and will begin with a truly historic gathering in Saudi Arabia with leaders from all across the Muslim world,” he said.
“Saudi Arabia is the custodian of the two holiest sites in Islam, and it is there that we will begin to construct a new foundation of cooperation and support with our Muslim allies, to combat extremism, terrorism and violence,” the president said. “And to embrace a more just and hopeful future for young Muslims in their countries. Our task is not to dictate to others how to live, but to build a coalition of friends and partners who share the goal of fighting terrorism and bringing safety, opportunity and stability to the war-ravaged Middle East. We all pray that we can make a difference. We pray for peace.
A senior administration official said the White House had not yet settled on exact dates or cities.
But officials said the travel, slated for later this month, was designed as an “outreach trip” to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to peace throughout the region.
“We chose these three places because we really wanted to focus on how we can unite all the different countries and all the different religions in the fight against intolerance and radicalization,” a senior administration official said.
Trump is expected to discuss “the threats posed by Iran and its proxies” when visiting leaders in Israel, White House press secretary Sean Spicer noted in a statement on Thursday.
During his visit to Israel, Trump will also meet again with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who spoke with Trump Wednesday at a diplomatic lunch in Washington.
Senior administration officials stressed that the trip, Trump’s first abroad since taking office, was designed to show that his “America First” outlook is still compatible with providing U.S. leadership around the world.
While in Rome, Trump will meet with Pope Francis, the Associated Press reported.
