Prime Minister Netanyahu: Ladies and gentlemen,
this museum tells the story of Israel.
Mr. President, you've just gone through a fast-paced
visit through our past, our present,
and we'll work together to fashion the future.
Here, you can see Hebrew texts of the Bible
that are 2,000 years old.
You can see the seals and coins that bear witness to
nearly 4,000 years of our presence in this land.
You can see the menorahs we lit, the synagogues
we prayed in during our long exile.
But, this story of Israel is not simply the story
of the past.
It's the story of a nation reborn, of a barren land
brought back to life, of an ancient language
revived, of an exiled people who returned,
of Jewish sovereignty restored.
We have a saying, Mr. President, "The people
of Israel lives, the state of Israel lives on."
They're alive as ever.
A thriving democracy, a powerful army,
an innovative free economy, and a proud resilient people.
Mr. President, over the years, Israel has had many
friends, but Israel has never had and will never
have a better friend than the United States of America.
(Applause.)
That friendship is reflected in the
overwhelming support of the American people,
strong bipartisan support in the American Congress,
and the support of American Presidents
from Harry Truman to Donald Trump.
(Applause.)
Thank you, President Trump, for your steadfast
friendship to the Jewish people and the Jewish state.
It is deeply, deeply appreciated.
Mr. President, I believe that the alliance between
America and Israel is more important than ever.
Together, we must defeat those who glorify death,
and protect those who celebrate life.
Together, we can defeat the forces of militant
Islam who seek to destroy the civilized world.
And together, we can and we must defeat the forces
of terror.
Terrorism, the deliberate slaughter of innocents,
must be equally condemned and equally fought.
Whether it strikes in Europe, in America,
or in Israel -- or for that matter, anywhere else.
And as you said this morning, Mr. President,
funding and rewarding terrorism must end.
Standing next to you, President Abbas condemned
the horrific attack in Manchester.
Well, I hope this heralds a real change.
Because if the attacker had been Palestinian,
and the victims had been Israeli children,
the suicide bomber's family would have received
a stipend from the Palestinian authority.
That's Palestinian law.
That law must be changed,
(Applause.)
I hope that President Abbas heeds the principles --
the clear, strong, moral, and practical
principles that you enunciated today,
President Trump.
Stop rewarding terrorists, stop glorifying murderers.
I believe that this is the first and the crucial step
towards the road to a genuine peace that Israel
seeks, and that I believe that together with you,
we can achieve.
President Trump, working with you, I believe we can
advance a durable peace between Israel and its Arab
neighbors, as well as the Palestinians because
of the common danger that the Arab world and Israel face
from Iran.
And because of the leadership that you bring
to this process.
Ultimately, around the world, I have no doubt
that freedom will defeat fear,
that light will vanquish darkness.
Because that is the story of America, a nation that
has defeated the forces of tyranny,
that is the beacon and hope of all humanity.
And that is the story of Israel, a nation that has
overcome unimaginable horrors and impossible odds.
And is the hope of the Jewish people.
Mr. President, thank you for your historic visit,
for you unbelievably moving gestures.
In a concentrated 36-hour period in Israel,
you've touched the core and the stones of our being.
In the (unintelligible) of the Western Wall
yesterday, now in Yad Vashem, and now
in our wonderful museum.
You, first wife -- First Lady Melania Trump, your family,
and your delegation.
You've shown a great commitment to Israel's
future and to its security.
I want to thank you, Mr. President,
for standing up for Israel at the United Nations
and everywhere else.
(Applause.)
And I thank you for your unrelenting support
and a friendship that comes from the heart to the Jewish people
and the Jewish state.
Thank you, President Trump.
God bless you, God bless Israel, and God bless
the United States of America.
(Applause.)
President Trump: Thank you very much.
That's very nice.
And thank you to Prime Minister Netanyahu.
And I also want to thank Sara for hosting us last night
in really a very unforgettable dinner.
We had a great time.
We talked about a lot of very, very important things.
And thank you to Ambassador David Friedman
and Mrs. Friedman for joining us, along with a number
of very good friends who have come
from our country to yours, as we reaffirm the unshakable
bond between the United States of America and Israel.
Thank you.
(Applause.)
I'd like to begin my remarks today
by sending the thoughts and prayers of the entire
American people to the victims of the terrorist
attack in Manchester.
You know -- you've all been watching.
You've seen just a horrible thing going on.
I want to send our condolences to the many
families who lost their loved ones.
Horrific, horrific injuries.
Terrible.
Dozens of innocent people, beautiful young children
savagely murdered in this heinous attack upon humanity.
I repeat again that we must drive out
the terrorists and the extremists from our midst,
obliterate this evil ideology, and protect
and defend our citizens and people of the world.
(Applause.) All civilized nations much be united
in this effort.
This trip is focused on that goal: bringing
nations together around the goal of defeating
the terrorism that threatens the world, and crushing
the hateful ideology that drives it so hard
and seems to be driving it so fast.
It is a privilege to stand here in this national
museum, in the ancient city of Jerusalem,
to address the Israeli people and all people
in the Middle East who yearn for security, prosperity and peace.
Jerusalem is a sacred city.
Its beauty, splendor, and heritage are like no other
place on Earth.
(Applause.)
What a heritage.
The ties of the Jewish people to this Holy Land
are ancient and eternal.
(Applause.)
They date back thousands of years,
including the reign of King David whose star now
flies proudly on Israel's white and blue flag.
Yesterday, I visited the Western Wall, and marveled
at the monument to God's presence and man's perseverance.
I was humbled to place my hand upon the wall
and to pray in that holy space for wisdom from God.
I also visited and prayed at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,
a site revered by Christians throughout the world.
I laid a wreath at Yad Vashem, honoring,
remembering, and mourning the six million Jews
who were murdered in the Holocaust.
I pledged right then and there what I pledge again today,
the words, "Never again."
(Applause.)
Israel is a testament to the unbreakable spirit
of the Jewish people.
From all parts of this great country, one message
resounds, and that is the message of hope.
Down through the ages, the Jewish people have
suffered persecution, oppression, and even those
who have sought their destruction.
But, through it all, they have endured and, in fact,
they have thrived.
I stand in awe of the accomplishments
of the Jewish people, and I make this promise to you,
my administration will always stand with Israel.
(Applause.)
Thank you very much.
Through your hardships, you have created
one of the most abundant lands anywhere in the world --
a land that is rich not only in history, culture,
and opportunity, but especially in spirit.
This museum where we are gathered today tells
the story of that spirit.
From the two Holy Temples, to the glorious heights
of Masada, we see an incredible story
of faith and perseverance.
That faith is what inspired Jews to believe
in their destiny, to overcome their despair,
and to build here -- right here -- a future
that others dared not even to dream.
In Israel, not only are Jews free to till
the soil, teach their children, and pray to God
in the ancient land of their fathers --
and they love this land, and they love God --
but Muslims, Christians, and people of all faiths
are free to live and worship according to their conscience,
and to follow their dreams, right here.
Today, gathered with friends, I call upon all people --
Jews, Christians, Muslims, and every faith, every tribe,
every creed --
to draw inspiration from this ancient city, to set aside
our sectarian differences, to overcome oppression
and hatred, and to give all children the freedom
and hope and dignity written into our souls.
Earlier this week, I spoke at a very historic summit
in Saudi Arabia.
I was hosted by King Salman -- a very wise man.
There, I urged our friends in the Muslim world
to join us in creating stability, safety and security.
And I was deeply encouraged by the desire of many leaders
to join us in cooperation toward these shared and vital goals.
Conflict cannot continue forever.
The only question is when nations will decide that
they have had enough -- enough bloodshed,
enough killing.
That historic summit represents a new opportunity
for people throughout the Middle East
to overcome sectarian and religious divisions,
to extinguish the fires of extremism, and to find
common ground and shared responsibility in making
the future of this region so much better
than it is right now.
Change must come from within.
It can only come from within.
No mother or father wants their children to grow up
in a world where terrorists roam free,
schoolchildren are murdered, and their loved ones are taken.
No child is born with prejudice in their heart.
No one should teach young boys and girls to hate
and to kill.
No civilized nation can tolerate the massacre
of innocents with chemical weapons.
My message to that summit was the same message
I have for you, we must build a coalition of
partners who share the aim of stamping out extremists
and violence, and providing our children
a peaceful and hopeful future.
But a hopeful future for children in the Middle East
requires the world to fully recognize the vital role
of the State of Israel.
(Applause.)
And, on behalf of the United States, we pledge to stand
by you and defend our
shared values so that together we can defeat
terrorism and create safety for all of God's children.
(Applause.)
Israelis have experienced firsthand
the hatred and terror of radical violence.
Israelis are murdered by terrorists wielding knives
and bombs.
Hamas and Hezbollah launch rockets into Israeli
communities where schoolchildren have
to be trained to hear the sirens and run to the bomb shelters --
with fear, but with speed.
ISIS targets Jewish neighborhoods, synagogues,
and storefronts.
And Iran's leaders routinely call
for Israel's destruction.
Not with Donald J. Trump, believe me.
(Applause.)
Thank you.
I like you too.
(Laughter.)
Despite these challenges, Israel is thriving as a sovereign
nation, and no international body should question
the contributions Israel makes to the region
and, indeed, the world.
Today, let us pray for that peace and for a more
hopeful future across the Middle East.
There are those who present a false choice.
They say that we must choose between supporting
Israel and supporting Arab and Muslim nations
in the region.
That is completely wrong.
All decent people want to live in peace, and all
humanity is threatened by the evils of terrorism.
Diverse nations can unite around the goal
of protecting innocent life, upholding human dignity,
and promoting peace and stability in the region.
My administration is committed to pursuing such
a coalition, and we have already made substantial
progress during this trip.
We know, for instance, that both Israelis and Palestinians
seek lives of hope for their children.
And we know that peace is possible if we put aside
the pain and disagreements of the past and commit
together to finally resolving this crisis,
which has dragged on for nearly half a century or more.
As I have repeatedly said, I am personally committed
to helping Israelis and Palestinians achieve a
peace agreement, and I had a meeting this morning
with President Abbas and can tell you
that the Palestinians are ready to reach for peace.
I know you've heard it before.
I am telling you -- that's what I do.
They are ready to reach for peace.
In my meeting with my very good friend, Benjamin,
I can tell you also that he is reaching for peace.
He wants peace.
He loves people.
He especially loves the Israeli people.
Benjamin Netanyahu wants peace.
Making peace, however, will not be easy.
We all know that.
Both sides will face tough decisions.
But with determination, compromise, and the belief
that peace is possible, Israelis and Palestinians
can make a deal.
But even as we work toward peace, we will build
strength to defend our nations.
The United States is firmly committed to keep
Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and halting
their support of terrorists and militias.
(Applause.)
So, we are telling you right now
that Iran will not have nuclear weapons.
(Applause.)
America's security partnership with Israel is stronger
than ever.
Under my administration, you see the difference --
big, big beautiful difference --
(Applause.)
-- including the Iron Dome missile defense program,
which has been keeping the Israeli people safe from
short-range rockets launched by Hezbollah
and Hamas, and David's Sling, which guards against
long range missiles.
It is my hope that someday, very soon,
Israeli children will never need to rush towards
shelters again as sirens ring out loud and clear.
Finally, the United States is proud that Israeli Air Force
pilots are flying the incredible,
new American F-35 planes.
(Applause.)
There is nothing in the world like them to defend
their nation, and it was wonderful to see these mighty
aircraft in the skies over Israel recently
as you celebrated the 69th anniversary
of Israel's independence.
But even as we strengthen our partnership
in practice, let us always remember our highest ideals.
Let us never forget that the bond between our two
nations is woven together in the hearts of our
people, and their love of freedom, hope, and dignity
for every man and every woman.
Let us dream of a future where Jewish, Muslim, and
Christian children can grow up together and live
together in trust, harmony, tolerance,
and respect.
The values that are practiced in Israel have
inspired millions and millions of people all
across the world.
The conviction of Theodor Herzl rings true today,
"Whatever we attempt there for our own benefit will
rebound mightily and beneficially to the good
of all mankind."
As we stand in Jerusalem, we see pilgrims of all
faiths coming to this land to walk on this hallowed ground.
Jews place the prayers from their hearts
in the stone blocks of the beautiful Western Wall.
Christians pray in the pews of an ancient church.
Muslims answer the call to prayer at their holy sites.
This city, like no other place in the world,
reveals the longing of human hearts to know
and to worship God.
Jerusalem stands as a reminder that life can
flourish against any odds.
When we look around this city -- so beautiful --
and we see people of all faiths engaged
in reverent worship, and schoolchildren learning
side-by-side, and men and women lifting up the needy
and forgotten, we see that God's promise of healing
has brought goodness to so many lives.
We see that the people of this land had the courage
to overcome the oppression and injustice of the past
and to live in the freedom God intends for every
person on this Earth.
Today, in Jerusalem, we pray and we hope that
children around the world will be able to live
without fear, to dream without limits,
and to prosper without violence.
I ask this land of promise to join me to fight
our common enemies, to pursue our shared values,
and to protect the dignity of every child of God.
Thank you.
God bless you.
God bless the State of Israel.
And God bless the United States.
Thank you very much.
(Applause.)