President-Elect Donald Trump told the New York Times Tuesday that he would "love" to be the one who finally brokers a lasting peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, a goal which has eluded the craftiest of diplomats for decades.

In a letter sent this week to religious groups that had raised concerns about the case, the top US diplomat for the Middle East said the United States continues to have concerns about the death of 16-year-old Mahmoud Shalan.

Agreeing that ties between Israel and United States will improve under the Trump administration, Dr Michael Doran, a senior fellow from Hudson Institute in Washington, who also participated in the panel discussion said that "we are going to see the most pro-Israel American administration ever".

The remarks came after Jason Greenblatt, a top advisor to Trump on Israel, said, "It is certainly not Mr. Trump's view that settlement activities should be condemned".

Trump then segued into the Middle East peace process.

Talk to Israelis on either the left or the right about the prospects of a Trump administration and they express uncertainty and deep concern.

Obama, like his predecessors, fought tirelessly to prevent a Palestinian state from ever taking shape and any distinction between the Obama and Trump administrations will manifest itself purely in the rhetoric: the former refined and articulate, the latter belligerent and demagogic.

While he acted as a close advisor to Trump's campaign, Kushner helped rid the president-elect of anti-semitic allegations and grow support for the candidate among the powerful pro-Israel community, as well as establish stronger ties with the government of Israel.

After he learned of Bennett's meetings with Trump aides, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed his ministers and deputy ministers not to contact members of the incoming administration, except through his office or the Israeli Embassy in Washington. He could have, at least, sided with the majority of humanity by adding his country's voice to those that recognised a Palestinian state at the UN.

"I would like to inform you that by the directive of the prime minister, the ministers and deputy ministers are required to not make any contact with the incoming U.S. administration, other than through the prime minister's office or the Israeli Embassy in Washington", the directive read. Presidents have not followed through on the pledge.

Trump, by contrast, after some initial stumbles, like advocating neutrality on Israel-Palestinian negotiations, appears to be fully in sync with Netanyahu and his approach. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani told the Israeli American Council in September that the USA should "reject the whole notion of a two-state solution in Israel".

The regional body initially proposed the plan in 2014 but never proceeded.

And while every true Zionist would like to see Jerusalem as the Jewish state's capital, one has to ask: at what price?