President Trump's views on Islam are continuing to "evolve," Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Monday.

Tillerson was asked aboard Air Force One whether Trump still stands by his comments that Islam "hates us."

"I think the president's views, like we hope the American people's views, are going to continue to evolve," Tillerson said, according to a reporter traveling with the president.

ADVERTISEMENT

"And I think an important part of this trip, one of the takeaways, my observations — again I hope it's something that translates back, not just to the American people but to the Muslim world as well — we need to put a lot more effort into understanding one another better."

Tillerson also talked about the importance of learning more about other peoples' cultures and beliefs.

"Understanding each other's cultures, understanding each other's beliefs, and I think talking more openly about those, I think there's a great deal that's misunderstood about the Muslim world, by Americans and the Western world," he said.

He said Trump is now "increasing his own perspectives."

"Nothing helps you learn and understand people better than coming to their homes, where they live and seeing them face to face, seeing their families, and seeing their communities, finding out we all share the same wants and desires for ourselves and our people, and our families: peace, prosperity, we want our children to grow up without fear," he said. "That's such a strongly held view around the world, certainly among the Muslim world certainly among the non-Muslim world."

Trump is currently in Israel on his second stop during his first foreign trip.

In comments upon arriving, Trump said a "rare opportunity" exists for peace in the Middle East while seeking to reaffirm the "unbreakable bond" between the U.S. and Israel.

On Sunday, Tillerson held a press conference without any U.S. reporters.