This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/netanyahu-us-visit-donald-trump-says-he-is-open-to-a-one-state-solution-to-the-israeli-palestinian-a7582361.html
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
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. | |
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 [solution] looked easier for a while," he added, before reaffirming he would let Israeli and Palestinian negotiators take the lead on the issue. | |
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 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. |
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. |
More follows | More follows |