begin quote from:
Trump is the first US president to visit the Western Wall
Trump makes historic visit to Western Wall
President Trump visits the Western Wall 01:33
Jerusalem (CNN)President
Donald Trump on Monday became the first sitting US president to visit
the Western Wall, one of the holiest sites in Judaism.
Trump,
wearing a yarmulke, placed his right hand on the wall and swayed
slightly back and forth with his eyes closed for nearly a minute. He
then reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a noted on a folded
piece of paper, and placed it into a crack in the wall.
He was flanked by his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, who is Jewish, and Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovich.
First lady Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump, the President's daughter, also prayed at the wall, at the portion reserved for women.
Trump visited the Western Wall without any Israeli government officials by his side despite requests from Israeli officials.
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
First lady Melania Trump chats with children during a visit to the American International School in Riyadh on May 21.
Hide Caption
15 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
While in Riyadh, President Trump meets with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on May 21.
Hide Caption
16 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
President
Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi share a laugh during a
meeting on May 21. El-Sisi complimented Trump on his "unique
personality that is capable of doing the impossible." Trump exchanged
pleasantries back, praising el-Sisi's shoes.
Hide Caption
17 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump is handed a sword during a welcoming ceremony at Riyadh's Murabba Palace on Saturday, May 20.
Hide Caption
18 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump sits with members of his staff and Cabinet before a meeting with Saudi King Salman on May 20.
Hide Caption
19 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump and King Salman take part in a signing ceremony at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh on May 20. The two leaders oversaw the signing of a defense deal worth nearly $110 billion.
Hide Caption
20 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The Trumps look at a display of modern art at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh.
Hide Caption
21 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
King
Salman presents Trump with a gilded necklace and medal, the country's
highest honor. The distinction also was bestowed upon Presidents Barack
Obama and George W. Bush.
Hide Caption
22 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The first lady chats with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef at the medal ceremony on May 20.
Hide Caption
23 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Ivanka Trump attends the medal ceremony.
Hide Caption
24 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump meets with King Salman after arriving in Riyadh on May 20.
Hide Caption
25 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Soldiers on horseback carry the US and Saudi flags as they escort Trump to the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh.
Hide Caption
26 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump is welcomed by King Salman after arriving at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Hide Caption
27 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The Trumps take part in the welcome ceremony.
Hide Caption
28 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The President and first lady wave from Air Force One after landing in Riyadh.
Hide Caption
29 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
US President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, May 22. Trump sought to rebut claims
that he damaged Israeli intelligence capabilities by revealing highly
classified information to Russian operatives earlier this month. "Just
so you understand, I never mentioned the word or the name Israel," Trump
told reporters as he began the second leg of his first foreign tour.
Hide Caption
1 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, while in Jerusalem on May 22. Trump became the first sitting US president to visit the wall.
Hide Caption
2 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump stands in the Western Wall plaza. To his left, in black, is Shmuel Rabinowitz, the rabbi of the Western Wall.
Hide Caption
3 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
First lady Melania Trump, in white, visits the Western Wall. At far left is Ivanka Trump, daughter and adviser to the President.
Hide Caption
4 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The President and first lady plant a tree in Jerusalem with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on May 22.
Hide Caption
5 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump
is welcomed by Netanyahu upon arriving in Tel Aviv, Israel, on May 22.
Trump started his trip with two days in Saudi Arabia.
Hide Caption
6 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
On the way to Tel Aviv, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One.
Hide Caption
7 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
While
in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Trump attends the inauguration ceremony for
the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology. Joining him here are
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, center, and Egyptian President
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, left.
Hide Caption
8 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump speaks in Riyadh during the Arab Islamic American Summit
on Sunday, May 21. Trump looked to make it clear that the United States
is not at war with Islam. "This is not a battle between different
faiths, different sects or different civilizations," he said. "This is a
battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life,
and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. This is a
battle between good and evil."
Hide Caption
9 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump
sits at the summit, which included leaders from 55 Muslim-majority
countries. He urged them to do more to eradicate terrorist groups that
claim the mantle of Islam. "We can only overcome this evil if the forces
of good are united and strong and if everyone in this room does their
fair share and fulfills their part of the burden," Trump said.
"Muslim-majority countries must take the lead in stamping out
radicalization."
Hide Caption
10 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump poses with other leaders at the Arab Islamic American Summit.
Hide Caption
11 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Saudi King Salman shakes hands with Trump on May 21. Trump is the first US president to start his first foreign trip in the Middle East.
Hide Caption
12 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump meets with other heads of state in Riyadh on May 21.
Hide Caption
13 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump speaks with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Gen. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Hide Caption
14 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
First lady Melania Trump chats with children during a visit to the American International School in Riyadh on May 21.
Hide Caption
15 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
While in Riyadh, President Trump meets with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on May 21.
Hide Caption
16 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
President
Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi share a laugh during a
meeting on May 21. El-Sisi complimented Trump on his "unique
personality that is capable of doing the impossible." Trump exchanged
pleasantries back, praising el-Sisi's shoes.
Hide Caption
17 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump is handed a sword during a welcoming ceremony at Riyadh's Murabba Palace on Saturday, May 20.
Hide Caption
18 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump sits with members of his staff and Cabinet before a meeting with Saudi King Salman on May 20.
Hide Caption
19 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump and King Salman take part in a signing ceremony at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh on May 20. The two leaders oversaw the signing of a defense deal worth nearly $110 billion.
Hide Caption
20 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The Trumps look at a display of modern art at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh.
Hide Caption
21 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
King
Salman presents Trump with a gilded necklace and medal, the country's
highest honor. The distinction also was bestowed upon Presidents Barack
Obama and George W. Bush.
Hide Caption
22 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The first lady chats with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef at the medal ceremony on May 20.
Hide Caption
23 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Ivanka Trump attends the medal ceremony.
Hide Caption
24 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump meets with King Salman after arriving in Riyadh on May 20.
Hide Caption
25 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Soldiers on horseback carry the US and Saudi flags as they escort Trump to the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh.
Hide Caption
26 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump is welcomed by King Salman after arriving at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Hide Caption
27 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The Trumps take part in the welcome ceremony.
Hide Caption
28 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The President and first lady wave from Air Force One after landing in Riyadh.
Hide Caption
29 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
US President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, May 22. Trump sought to rebut claims
that he damaged Israeli intelligence capabilities by revealing highly
classified information to Russian operatives earlier this month. "Just
so you understand, I never mentioned the word or the name Israel," Trump
told reporters as he began the second leg of his first foreign tour.
Hide Caption
1 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, while in Jerusalem on May 22. Trump became the first sitting US president to visit the wall.
Hide Caption
2 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump stands in the Western Wall plaza. To his left, in black, is Shmuel Rabinowitz, the rabbi of the Western Wall.
Hide Caption
3 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
First lady Melania Trump, in white, visits the Western Wall. At far left is Ivanka Trump, daughter and adviser to the President.
Hide Caption
4 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The President and first lady plant a tree in Jerusalem with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on May 22.
Hide Caption
5 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump
is welcomed by Netanyahu upon arriving in Tel Aviv, Israel, on May 22.
Trump started his trip with two days in Saudi Arabia.
Hide Caption
6 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
On the way to Tel Aviv, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One.
Hide Caption
7 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
While
in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Trump attends the inauguration ceremony for
the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology. Joining him here are
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, center, and Egyptian President
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, left.
Hide Caption
8 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump speaks in Riyadh during the Arab Islamic American Summit
on Sunday, May 21. Trump looked to make it clear that the United States
is not at war with Islam. "This is not a battle between different
faiths, different sects or different civilizations," he said. "This is a
battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life,
and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. This is a
battle between good and evil."
Hide Caption
9 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump
sits at the summit, which included leaders from 55 Muslim-majority
countries. He urged them to do more to eradicate terrorist groups that
claim the mantle of Islam. "We can only overcome this evil if the forces
of good are united and strong and if everyone in this room does their
fair share and fulfills their part of the burden," Trump said.
"Muslim-majority countries must take the lead in stamping out
radicalization."
Hide Caption
10 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump poses with other leaders at the Arab Islamic American Summit.
Hide Caption
11 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Saudi King Salman shakes hands with Trump on May 21. Trump is the first US president to start his first foreign trip in the Middle East.
Hide Caption
12 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump meets with other heads of state in Riyadh on May 21.
Hide Caption
13 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump speaks with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Gen. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Hide Caption
14 of 29
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
First lady Melania Trump chats with children during a visit to the American International School in Riyadh on May 21.
Hide Caption
15 of 29
The
United States does not recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a
position shared by nearly every other country in the international
community. Successive US administrations have said the status of the
disputed city should be resolved in a final status peace agreement
between Israelis and Palestinians.
The
Western Wall sits in Jerusalem's Old City, which was captured by Israel
during the Six-Day War in 1967. Israel also occupied the West Bank and
Gaza after that conflict. Palestinians and most of the international
community consider East Jerusalem, which contains the Old City, as the
capital of a future Palestinian state.
Trump's
visit to the wall comes after US officials meeting with their Israeli
counterparts to arrange Trump's visit sparked off a controversy by
contending that the Western Wall was part of the West Bank -- which is
not US policy.
Past US presidents have visited the wall, but either before or after their tenure as president.
Trump
promised during his campaign to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital
and move the US embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, but has since backed
off that pledge -- at least for now.
Trump
was considering fulfill that pledge with an announcement during his
visit to the city this week -- which coincides with Jerusalem Day on
Tuesday -- but backed off the idea amid warnings from foreign policy
officials in Washington as well as from Arab leaders in the region, who
warned Trump such a move could hurt chances of reviving peace
negotiations and inflame tensions in the region.
No comments:
Post a Comment