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Netanyahu US visit: Donald Trump says he is 'open' to one-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict Netanyahu US visit: Donald Trump says he is 'open' to one-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict
(35 minutes later)
US President Donald Trump has suggested that he is open to the idea of a one state, rather than two state solution to the intractable Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  US President Donald Trump has suggested that he is open to the idea of a one-state, rather than two-state solution to the intractable Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 
Asked in a media conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday whether the US would continue its policy of support for both a Jewish and Palestinian state, Mr Trump said, "I'm looking at two state and and one state, and I like the one that both parties like." Asked in a media conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday whether the US would continue its policy of support for the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, Mr Trump said: "I'm looking at two-state and at one-state, and I like the one that both parties like."
"I thought the two state looked easier for a while," he added, before reaffirming he would let Israeli and Palestinian negotiators take the lead on the issue.  "I thought the two-state [solution] looked easier for a while," he added, before reaffirming he would let Israeli and Palestinian negotiators take the lead on the issue. 
Mr Netanyahu also added that rather than deal with "labels" such as 'two state' or 'one state', he would like to work on "substance" in making peace with the Palestinians.  It is a marked change from American policy under Barack Obama which, alongside the UN, EU, Arab League and others, had been to promote the idea of a peace deal involving a Palestinian state.
Speaking alongside Mr Trump, Mr Netanyahu said that rather than deal with "labels", he would like to work on "substance" in making peace with the Palestinians. 
Mr Trump also said that both sides would have to be prepared to make "compromises" for a lasting peace deal. Mr Trump also said that both sides would have to be prepared to make "compromises" for a lasting peace deal. 
On Tuesday a White House official told reporters that while the new president was keen to broker a peace deal in the intractable conflict, a lasting solution may not be achieved through continuing to pursue the Palestinian dream of a recognised state. On Tuesday a White House official told reporters that while the new president was keen to broker a peace deal in the conflict, a lasting solution may not be achieved through continuing to pursue the Palestinian dream of a recognised state.
“A two-state solution that doesn’t bring peace is not a goal that anybody wants to achieve. Peace is the goal, whether it comes in the form of a two-state solution, if that’s what the parties want, or something else," the senior official told reporters on condition of anonymity.“A two-state solution that doesn’t bring peace is not a goal that anybody wants to achieve. Peace is the goal, whether it comes in the form of a two-state solution, if that’s what the parties want, or something else," the senior official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
The Israeli prime minister arrived in Washington DC for a two-day visit on Wednesday, which marks the first meeting between the two men since Mr Trump won the US general election last November.  The Israeli prime minister arrived in Washington DC for a two-day visit on Wednesday, which marks the first meeting between the two men since Mr Trump won the US general election last November.  
The two are old friends - a fact both reiterated during the presser. But the two are old friends and Mr Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has close links to Israel - a fact which was reiterated during the presser.
Mr Trump said that there is an "unbreakable bond" between the two countries, calling Israel a "cherished ally."  He is widely viewed in the country - and the wider Middle East - as far more sympathetic to Israeli interests, including the contentious issues of settlement building in the West Bank, than his predecessor Barack Obama.  Mr Trump said that there is an "unbreakable bond" between the two countries, calling Israel a "cherished ally."  He is widely viewed in the country - and the wider Middle East - as far more sympathetic to Israeli interests, including the contentious issues of settlement building in the West Bank, than his predecessor Barack Obama.  
Mr Netanyahu will also meet with both Republican and Democrat lawmakers during the trip. Mr Netanyahu will also meet with both Republican and Democrat lawmakers during the trip. 
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