What has Trump said about Israel and Palestine?

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US President Donald Trump has recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and decided to move the embassy to Jerusalem, ignoring Arab countries' warning and worldwide concerns.

Starting from his controversial presidential campaign, Trump has made a number of statements about Israeli and Palestinian issues.

Campaign period: 'Give it a shot'

Trump voiced his ambition during the campaign saying he would like to bring peace to Middle East and to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

He sometimes claimed he would be neutral on the conflict. "Let me be sort of a neutral guy, let's see what – I'm going to give it a shot. It would be so great," Trump said during an MSNBC-hosted town hall on February 19, 2016

Feb 19, 2016: US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump holds a rally with supporters at the convention center in North Charleston, South Carolina. /Reuters Photo

However, he also promised multiple times to move the embassy to Jerusalem emphasizing that he is a friend of Israel and regarded Islam as the source of the majority of modern terrorism.

After Trump's victory in election, he has given the job of produce peace between Israel and Palestinians to son-in-law Jared Kushner and said "If you can't produce peace in the Middle East, nobody can," in a speech on the eve of Trump's inauguration.

First meet with Netanyahu:' I'm looking at two states and one state'

Trump declared that the US is not committed to the two-decade old two-state solution to the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel as part of a permanent Middle East peace agreement during his first meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu is one of the first world leaders Trump has met as president.

Trump told Netanyahu the US would stand firm with Israel "especially in the face of terrorism" and hinted the "the two-state solution" may not be the answer to the conflicts saying "I'm looking at two states and one state."

US President Donald Trump (R) laughs with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint news conference at the White House in Washington, DC, US, February 15, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Nevertheless, the president backtracked slightly few days later in an interview with Reuters, claiming: "I like this two-state solution, but I am satisfied with whatever both parties agree with."

During their first meeting, Trump put off his plan to move the US embassy insisting it was being considered very carefully.

Meanwhile Trump has urged Israel to hold back on settlement building in the West Bank for a bit. The Israeli government has said it plans to build approximately 6,000 Jewish settlement housing units in the West Bank, signaling a surge in planned construction since Trump was sworn in as president in January.

However on May 2, Trump told reporters Israel should keep building West Bank settlements.

"No, I don’t think it is, because I think Israel should have – they really have to keep going. They have to keep moving forward… I don’t think there should be a pause," he said

First meet with Abbas: 'We will get it done'

Trump committed the US would help Israel and the Palestinians reach peace and insisted "we will get it done" when welcoming Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to the White House on May 3 for a meeting aimed at relaunching talks that have failed repeatedly to resolve the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

US President Donald Trump and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrive to deliver a statement at the White House in Washington, DC, US, May 3, 2017. /Reuters Photo

"I’ve always heard that perhaps the toughest deal to make is the deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians," Trump said. "Let’s see if we can prove them wrong."

Abbas told Trump he wants peace based on a longstanding plan for a two-state solution while Trump stressed only if Palestinians leaders vowed against incitement to violence, will the peace be lasting.

He vowed to support for a Palestinian state and meanwhile, announced to move the US embassy to Jerusalem. Trump's Vice President Mike Pence later said Trump is till “giving serious consideration into moving the American embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.”

First visit to the region: Both ready to reach for peace

During Trump's visit the region from May 22 to May 23 and declared both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are ready to "reach for the peace", but warning such a historic undertaking will not be easy.

US President Donald Trump and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at a joint press conference in Bethlehem in the West Bank, May 23, 2017. /Reuters Photo

"I had a meeting this morning with Abbas and can tell you that the Palestinians are ready to reach for peace,” Mr Trump said in Jerusalem.

He told Abbas he would "do everything" to help Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace.

Similarly he also described his meeting with Netanyahu is in pleasure, "In my meeting with my very good friend Benjamin, I can tell you also, that he is reaching for peace. He wants peace."

He said he came to "reaffirm the unbreakable bond" between the US and Israel and that there was a "rare opportunity to bring security and stability and peace" to the region.

US President Donald Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deliver remarks before dinner at Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem, May 22, 2017. /Reuters Photo

UN General Assembly: Has 'maybe the best shot'

Trump met both Abbas and Netanyahu in New York during UN General Assembly. He told Abbas he had "maybe the best shot" at achieving peace between Israel and the Palestinians but also said peace could be the toughest deal of all.

"It's a complex subject, always been considered the toughest deal of all: peace between Israel and the Palestinians, the toughest of all," Trump continued. "I think we have a very, very good chance. I will certainly devote everything in my heart and within my soul to get a deal made."

US President Donald Trump meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during the UN‍ General Assembly in New York, US, September 20, 2017. /Reuters Photo

However, Trump did not explain where his optimism comes from.

When meeting with Netanyahu, he spent most time talking about Palestinians and Israel conflicts.

"I really believe peace between the Palestinians and Israel would be a fantastic achievement,” the US president said. “We are giving it an absolute go. I think there is a good chance it could happen; most people would say there is no chance whatsoever. I actually think that with the ability of Bibi, and frankly with the other side, I really think we have a chance.”

Asked whether Trump wants to see a one-state or two-state solution, Trump this time said only, “We are talking about it a lot.”