Trump: Israeli-Palestinian Deal ‘Will Never Happen After This’, But Countries ‘Not Looking to Make Peace’

President Donald Trump laid down something of an ultimatum in his Middle East peace efforts, warning Israel and Palestine that coming to the table for negotiations is now or never.

Trump told Israeli paper Israel Hayom that his upcoming peace plan – the details of which are entirely unknown as of yet – is the “only opportunity” for Israel and Palestine to make a deal.

“I think it is very foolish for the Palestinians and I also think it would be very foolish for the Israelis if they don’t make a deal,” Trump said. “It will never happen after this.”

He also noted that he thinks the Palestinians “are not looking to make peace,” which may be a blanket statement that acknowledges the tumult and upheaval the region has experienced, in part, due to restrictive Israeli policies, but more likely refers to a perceived inherent stubbornness, by Trump, about the people of that region.

“I am not necessarily sure that Israel is looking to make peace,” he added. “So we are just going to have to see what happens.”

Perhaps the strangest part of this interview was the introduction to it: When it comes to Middle East relations, Israel Hayom Editor-in-Chief Boaz Bismuth wrote that Trump is a “speak softly and carry a big stick” kind of guy, which is all kinds of ironic.

“Unlike Obama, Trump realizes that actions are far more powerful than speeches (actions like bombing Syria or relocating the American embassy, for example),” Bismuth wrote. “It appears that Trump understands the profound truth behind the iconic line: ‘When you have to shoot, shoot. Don’t talk.'”

[image via screengrab]