T. Belman. You will remember that a month ago Greenblatt spent 5 days talking with Abbas, Abdullah, Israel and others. It is clear that intense pressure was applied to Abbas and that he agreed to make concessions. His warm welcome at the White House was due to his willingness to make concessions. This is why Trump has shown optimism at the prospects. No doubt pressure was also applied by Arab rulers who say that they want to follow the lead of the PA. It is because of this progress that a ME conference is being set up.
I just noticed that this headline is misleading. The article gives the following quotes: “Trump is very optimistic that he can renew the peace process,” one of the politicians told The Jerusalem Post after speaking to Lauder. “Lauder understands from Trump that he believes Abbas can be convinced by him and Arab leaders to come back to the table and make concessions.” That’s a lot different than saying Abbas made concessions. But it is hard to imagine that Trump would be so confidant if he was speculating. Even so Trump thinks he has enough to renew the peace process not solve the conflict.
Behind the scenes at the conference, WJC president Ron Lauder briefed ministers Naftali Bennett, Ayelet Shaked and Ofir Akunis.
BY GIL HOFFMAN, JPOST MAY 7, 2017 23:

President Donald Trump has succeeded in persuading Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas to make the kind of concessions that will enable the diplomatic process to move forward, World Jewish Congress President Ron Lauder told Israeli politicians at The Jerusalem Post Annual Conference in New York.
Lauder is the Jewish leader closest to Trump: their families have been friends for decades; he has free access to the president; and he has advised him on how to advance diplomatic initiatives in the Middle East. He also has built up ties with Arab leaders for decades and was Netanyahu’s unofficial envoy to Syria in the latter’s first term as prime minister.
Read more…