US PRESIDENT Donald Trump met with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem on Tuesday, vowing to do “everything I can” to broker peace between Israel and Palestine — without specifying any actual plans.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Trump echoed many of his predecessors saying that the solution to the 50-year Israeli occupation could “begin a process of peace all throughout the Middle East.”

Mr Abbas said Palestinians “are committed to working with [Mr Trump] to reach a historic peace deal between us and Israel.

“The freedom and independence of the Palestinian people is the key to peace and stability in our region and the world, so that the children of Palestine and Israel enjoy a secure, stable and prosperous future.”

Although both leaders emerged hopeful from their meeting, no demands were made on either side to bring about a peaceful solution and Mr Trump left the region later on Tuesday without any plans to revive peace talks.

The last talks, led by former US president Barack Obama, collapsed in 2014.

Protests were held in cities across the West Bank and in Gaza City yesterday against Mr Trump’s visit to the region.

Imprisoned Palestinian Liberation Organisation commander Marwan Barghouti used the trip to urge the US President to save thousands of Palestinian prisoners who have been on hunger strike for 37 days.

“We believe you have the ability and the necessary influence over the occupying power’s [Israel’s] government to end the suffering of our children in Israeli prisons,” he said in a letter to Mr Trump.

Mr Barghouti, who is leading the strike, is demanding better conditions for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, including longer and more regular family visits.

Hunger strike solidarity protesters erected a cage with an effigy of a Palestinian prisoner in Bethlehem’s Manger Square, chanting: “Trump, listen! The prisoners will not kneel!” and, “We have a message to the Americans: Prisoners are our priority.”