South Florida's Jewish community reacts to Israeli prime minister's visit with Trump

Many feel hopeful after meeting

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – While President Donald Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, dozens of people in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in North Miami Beach gathered at kosher restaurants and synagogues to watch.

During their meeting, Trump asked Netanyahu to hold back on building new settlements.

"As far as settlements I’d like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit,” Trump said during a press conference. “We’ll work something out, but I would like to see a deal be made.”

Trump went on say that he’d be open to a one-state solution Middle East peace agreement.

"I'm looking at two-state and one-state. And I like the one that both parties like," Trump said.

Isaac Sapoznik said he felt encouraged after watching the meeting.

"It is a great first step in the right direction that they're able to meet together," Sapoznik said.

Some members of South Florida’s Jewish community said they voted for Trump because of his relationship with Netanyahu.

Daniel Gordon, the owner of  Chai Wok, hosted people at his restaurant to watch the news during the meeting.

"I think it is a step in a good direction," Gordon said. "I think that one this new administration has started and hopefully some good things come about."

Gabriel Deutsch echoed that feeling.

"A safe Israel and a safe America is a safe world," he said.

Some feel a peace deal may be possible under the new administration.

"They're going bring in the powers around Israel and the other countries there to join a team together and bring peace; that's their strategy, at least,” David Katz said.

Others weren’t as optimistic.

"It's not going to happen because of these two," Rabbi Barry Ingber  said. "They don't want to give up an inch of anything. Every president since the Six-Day War has tried to do that. It is just not going to happen."