Ambassador Kelly Craft
Permanent Representative
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York, New York
February 11, 2020
AS DELIVERED
AMBASSADOR CRAFT: Hello. How are you? Thank you.
QUESTION: What’s your take on the meeting?
AMBASSADOR CRAFT: You know, uh, we heard President Abbas speak about the importance of hope, and then we heard Ambassador Danon speak about the importance of direct conversation. And then the Council members, all together, spoke about the importance about peace within the international community. So I think that the President’s Vision for Peace has allowed for a conversation on hope, ultimately resulting in peace, and we just need to make certain that the two, the two parties are the only ones that can make this happen to come to the table, and as, as, you know, as Jared has said, “this is not a take it or leave it” it’s not “my way or the highway.” It, there’s plenty of room for negotiation, but it can only happen between the two countries.
QUESTION: Is there any timing on when, uh, Israel will annex portions of the West Bank that it has said it intends to and will you, as the United States, support that annexation?
AMBASSADOR CRAFT: You know, what we’re really supporting at the moment is having the two parties at the table together and be able to discuss how we can best facilitate this plan. I mean, it’s a vision. It’s not a deal, it’s an opportunity, and I think today was the beginning so, thank you very much. Thanks.
QUESTION: Ambassador, do you agree with President, Ambassador Danon that only after Abbas negotiations will be possible?
AMBASSADOR CRAFT: I beg your pardon?
QUESTION: Do you agree with Ambassador Danon that only after Abbas negotiations will be possible?
AMBASSADOR CRAFT: You know I agree with the President that this is a vision that we are really trying to unite the two countries. And as President Trump has said, we will be there for them. We are, we are here today, we’re going to be there tomorrow, and, you know, there’s not been a resolution that has carried us this far. Today, we’re all together, we’re talking about peace and security from an international standpoint, and I think that’s what’s really important is this is a beginning today.
Thanks.
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