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Trump says US not committed to two-state Israel-Palestine solution | Trump says US not committed to two-state Israel-Palestine solution |
(35 minutes later) | |
Donald Trump has appeared to rupture two decades of US commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process by saying he is unconcerned whether any eventual deal involves the creation of a Palestinian state or a single state. | |
“So I’m looking at two states and one state,” Trump said at a joint press conference with the visiting Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. “And I like the one that both parties like. I’m very happy with the one that both parties like.” | “So I’m looking at two states and one state,” Trump said at a joint press conference with the visiting Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. “And I like the one that both parties like. I’m very happy with the one that both parties like.” |
Trump’s comments dismantled one of the key pillars of the US-led peace efforts since before the signing of the Oslo accords, which envisioned the creation of a Palestinian state alongside the Jewish one. | |
“The United States will encourage peace and really a great peace deal,” the US president said. “We will be working on it very, very diligently. But it is the parties themselves who must directly negotiate such an agreement. | “The United States will encourage peace and really a great peace deal,” the US president said. “We will be working on it very, very diligently. But it is the parties themselves who must directly negotiate such an agreement. |
“To be honest, if Bibi [Netanyahu] and the Palestinians, if Israel and the Palestinians are happy – I’m happy with the one they like the best.” | “To be honest, if Bibi [Netanyahu] and the Palestinians, if Israel and the Palestinians are happy – I’m happy with the one they like the best.” |
The remarks suggested that while the US would assist in any negotiations, it would not lead them as it has done previously, leaving the core talks – moribund since 2014 – to the two sides. | |
Trump was confirming a briefing from the White House late on Tuesday that the US was looking at multiple options for a peace deal. The briefing prompted an angry response from the Palestinians, who were caught by surprise. | |
Calling on the wider international community to “stand shoulder to shoulder” with Palestinians to protect the two-state solution, Saeb Erekat, senior Palestinian negotiator, warned that undermining the long-standing strategy was no joke. | Calling on the wider international community to “stand shoulder to shoulder” with Palestinians to protect the two-state solution, Saeb Erekat, senior Palestinian negotiator, warned that undermining the long-standing strategy was no joke. |
“Those who believe they can leave the two-state solution and replace it with one state and two systems, I don’t believe they can get away with it. It is impossible. I believe undermining the two-state solution is not a joke and that would be a disaster and tragedy for Israelis and Palestinians.” | “Those who believe they can leave the two-state solution and replace it with one state and two systems, I don’t believe they can get away with it. It is impossible. I believe undermining the two-state solution is not a joke and that would be a disaster and tragedy for Israelis and Palestinians.” |
Asked about settlement building at the press conference, Trump addressed Netanyahu and said: “I would like to see you hold back for a little bit.” | Asked about settlement building at the press conference, Trump addressed Netanyahu and said: “I would like to see you hold back for a little bit.” |
The Israeli government has said it plans to build approximately 6,000 Jewish settlement housing units in the West Bank, signalling a surge in planned construction since Trump was sworn in as president in January. | The Israeli government has said it plans to build approximately 6,000 Jewish settlement housing units in the West Bank, signalling a surge in planned construction since Trump was sworn in as president in January. |
Trump also addressed questions about moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. “As far as the embassy moving to Jerusalem, I’d love to see that happen,” he said. | Trump also addressed questions about moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. “As far as the embassy moving to Jerusalem, I’d love to see that happen,” he said. |
“And we’re looking at it very, very strongly. We’re looking at it with a great care, a great care, believe me. And we’ll see what happens.” | “And we’re looking at it very, very strongly. We’re looking at it with a great care, a great care, believe me. And we’ll see what happens.” |