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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)
In an apparent break with two decades of US commitment to closely shepherding a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Donald Trump has said he is unconcerned whether an eventual deal involved the creation of a Palestinian state or a single state. 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 remarks appeared to dismantle 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. 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 comments appeared to suggest 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. 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 remarks made late on Tuesday by a White House official who said the US was looking at multiple options for a peace deal. Those remarks prompted an angry response from the Palestinians, who were caught by surprise. 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.”