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Israel-Palestinian conflict: UN warns Trump over two-state reversal | Israel-Palestinian conflict: UN warns Trump over two-state reversal |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The UN chief has warned Donald Trump against abandoning the idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying there is "no alternative". | The UN chief has warned Donald Trump against abandoning the idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying there is "no alternative". |
It comes after Mr Trump went against decades of US policy, saying he would back whatever formula led to peace. | It comes after Mr Trump went against decades of US policy, saying he would back whatever formula led to peace. |
Palestinians reacted with alarm to the possibility that the US could drop support for Palestinian statehood. | Palestinians reacted with alarm to the possibility that the US could drop support for Palestinian statehood. |
The last round of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks broke down in 2014. | The last round of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks broke down in 2014. |
Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, President Trump promised to deliver a "great" peace deal. | Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, President Trump promised to deliver a "great" peace deal. |
But he said both sides must compromise. | But he said both sides must compromise. |
"So I'm looking at two states and one state," he said. "And I like the one that both parties like." | "So I'm looking at two states and one state," he said. "And I like the one that both parties like." |
'Substance not labels' | 'Substance not labels' |
Following the news conference, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged the international community to do everything it could to bring about a two-state solution. | Following the news conference, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged the international community to do everything it could to bring about a two-state solution. |
He said there was no other option for resolving the conflict. | He said there was no other option for resolving the conflict. |
What is the two-state solution? | What is the two-state solution? |
A "two-state solution" to the decades-old conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is the declared goal of their leaders and the international community. | A "two-state solution" to the decades-old conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is the declared goal of their leaders and the international community. |
It is the shorthand for a final settlement that would see the creation of an independent state of Palestine within pre-1967 ceasefire lines in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, living peacefully alongside Israel. | It is the shorthand for a final settlement that would see the creation of an independent state of Palestine within pre-1967 ceasefire lines in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, living peacefully alongside Israel. |
The UN, the Arab League, the European Union, Russia and, until now, the US routinely restate their commitment to the concept. | The UN, the Arab League, the European Union, Russia and, until now, the US routinely restate their commitment to the concept. |
When he was asked about a two-state solution on Wednesday, Mr Netanyahu said he wanted to focus on "substance" and not "labels". | When he was asked about a two-state solution on Wednesday, Mr Netanyahu said he wanted to focus on "substance" and not "labels". |
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, meanwhile, said he remained committed to the goal. | Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, meanwhile, said he remained committed to the goal. |
He also seized on President Trump's comments urging Mr Netanyahu to "hold back on settlements for a little bit". | He also seized on President Trump's comments urging Mr Netanyahu to "hold back on settlements for a little bit". |
Since Mr Trump took office last month, Israel has approved thousands of new homes in West Bank and East Jerusalem, land claimed by the Palestinians for a future state. | Since Mr Trump took office last month, Israel has approved thousands of new homes in West Bank and East Jerusalem, land claimed by the Palestinians for a future state. |
The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. | The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. |
Alternative concepts to a two-state solution: | |
Reconsidering the two-state solution | |
The Israeli government is hoping for better relations with the White House after eight years of friction with the former Obama administration. | The Israeli government is hoping for better relations with the White House after eight years of friction with the former Obama administration. |
At Wednesday's news conference, neither leader committed explicitly to back a future independent Palestine, a longstanding bedrock of US policy. | At Wednesday's news conference, neither leader committed explicitly to back a future independent Palestine, a longstanding bedrock of US policy. |
It was the US and Israeli leaders' first face-to-face meeting since Mr Trump's victory in the 2016 presidential election. | It was the US and Israeli leaders' first face-to-face meeting since Mr Trump's victory in the 2016 presidential election. |
But France, which in January organised a multi-national conference which reaffirmed support for a two-state solution alone, seemed unimpressed with the apparent change in direction. | But France, which in January organised a multi-national conference which reaffirmed support for a two-state solution alone, seemed unimpressed with the apparent change in direction. |
Its ambassador to the UN, Francois Delattre, told reporters "our commitment to the two-state solution is stronger than ever", according to AFP news agency. | Its ambassador to the UN, Francois Delattre, told reporters "our commitment to the two-state solution is stronger than ever", according to AFP news agency. |
Meanwhile, Mr Trump's choice for America's next ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, faces a rocky confirmation hearing before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday, the Associated Press reports. | Meanwhile, Mr Trump's choice for America's next ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, faces a rocky confirmation hearing before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday, the Associated Press reports. |
The right-winger is a strong critic of the two-state solution, supports Jewish settlement building and moving the US embassy to Jerusalem. | The right-winger is a strong critic of the two-state solution, supports Jewish settlement building and moving the US embassy to Jerusalem. |
Five former US ambassadors to Israel have written a letter to committee members declaring him unqualified because of his "extreme, radical positions", AP says. | Five former US ambassadors to Israel have written a letter to committee members declaring him unqualified because of his "extreme, radical positions", AP says. |
Asked on Wednesday about his campaign promise of moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, Mr Trump said: "I'd love to see that happen." | Asked on Wednesday about his campaign promise of moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, Mr Trump said: "I'd love to see that happen." |
"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." |
The Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of their promised future state - but Israel claims the entire city as its undivided capital. | The Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of their promised future state - but Israel claims the entire city as its undivided capital. |