National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster on Tuesday addressed President Donald Trump’s effort to bring peace to the Middle East on the eve of the President’s meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House.

“The President is not a super-patient man. I don’t think we can wait 70 years,” Mcmaster said, speaking of the extraordinary achievements of the Jewish state as she enters the 70th years since its founding, at Ambassador Ron Dermer’s annual Independence Day celebration held at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in DC. “Some people have described him as disruptive. They’re right. And this is good – good because we can no longer afford to invest in policies that do not advance the interests and values of the United States and our allies.”

While not explicitly backing the two-state solution, the National Security Advisor emphasized the need of moving forward on the diplomatic track between Israelis and Palestinians. “This is a moment of opportunity,” Mcmaster asserted. “The question is will we be able to take advantage of this moment. Here we are in 2017 and the first day of the 70th year of the great Israeli state, we are presented with arduous circumstances that may allow us to solve what some have regarded as intractable problems.”

McMaster also praised Jason Greenblatt, President Trump’s envoy to the Mideast region, for his efforts to renew direct peace talks. “I have gotten to know Mr. Greenblatt, he is also kind of my counselor at the White House,” he said, “I can always count on him to lay on his couch sometimes for advice. I have learned not to be fooled by his low-key and polished demeanor. He is a veteran of tough, tough negotiations and is already bringing a new perspective to the table. We should place trust in Jason and our President. We should all support this effort and do our best to see this opportunity.”

“America will always stand with Israel, even when we extend our hand and invite the Palestinian people and their leaders to embrace this opportunity and secure a more prosperous future,” McMaster concluded.

Earlier on Tuesday, Vice President Mike Pence noted the growing “momentum” and the understanding that Israel will be required to undertake compromises. “President Donald Trump will never compromise the safety and security of the Jewish State of Israel, not now – not ever,” Pence assured Jewish leaders gathered at the first-ever White House Independence Day event. “Today, America’s support for Israel’s security is at record levels.”