Stephen Lendman

He arrived at midday, there to pay homage to Zionist extremism. America and Israel partner in regional state terrorism, their axis constituting the greatest threat to world peace.

Israel is in lockdown, thousands of police and other security forces deployed, main roads blocked, activities for Israelis and Palestinians disrupted.

In Bethlehem where Trump and Abbas will meet, a duplicitous banner was displaying, bearing their images, saying “The city of peace welcomes the man of peace.”

Nothing could be further from the truth. US imperial wars rage on Trump’s watch, heading for greater escalation than already.

In Jerusalem, billboards state “Trump is a Friend of Zion,” and “Trump Make Israel Great.” They’re located so he’ll spot them when his motorcade drives through the city.

After embracing a rogue’s gallery of despotic regimes in Riyadh, his Israel visit is all about supporting Zionist extremism, paying lip service alone to helping Palestinians - what no US administration ever gave a damn about, certainly not now, the illusion of concessions alone to be suggested during his visit.

On arrival, Trump stressed America’s “unbreakable bond” with Israel. Saying “let us build together a future where the nations of the region are at peace, and all our children can grow up strong and free from terrorism and violence” belies Washington’s imperial aims, allied with Israel’s for regional dominance.

In welcoming him, Netanyahu lied claiming Israel “man(s) the front lines” of combating terrorism, a scourge it supports, its longstanding agenda terrorizing defenseless Palestinians with US support.

Coincidentally with Trump’s visit, Palestinians across the West Bank are observing a general strike in solidarity with hundreds of hunger strikers, political prisoners.

Businesses, banks, institutions, schools, and public transportation closed for the day, roads heading to Ramallah blocked.

A Freedom and Dignity hunger strike media committee statement said Monday’s action is “the first time since the First Palestinian Intifada (1987-1993) that a general strike was observed in occupied West Bank…”

It called on Palestinians to fast from 10AM to 10PM on Monday in solidarity with hunger strikers. It urged them to continue public support.

A Day of Rage across the West Bank was called for Tuesday - expressing rejection of worthless peace talks controlled by Israel and Washington.

Separately, Hamas accused Trump of pro-Israeli bias at the expense of Palestinian rights - in response of his equating the group with ISIS and al-Qaeda during his Sunday Muslim world address in Riyadh - Abbas deplorably an attendee and Riyadh Declaration signatory.

“Trump’s remarks will not thwart our goal of liberating Palestine, nor will they hinder our people’s steadfastness and resistance,” the Hamas statement stressed.

Trump’s Israeli visit will do nothing to help long-suffering Palestinians. They’re on their own in their liberating struggle.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at http://www.sjlendman.blogspot.com.