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Israel-Palestinian conflict: US 'thinking outside box' | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The US ambassador to the UN has said her country "absolutely" supports the idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. | |
But Nikki Haley also said the Trump administration was "thinking outside the box as well", suggesting it was open to other possible solutions. | |
For many years, the US has advocated the establishment of a Palestinian state next to Israel. | |
But Mr Trump indicated on Wednesday he would not insist on that. | |
Viewpoint - 'A subtle but vital shift in US policy' | Viewpoint - 'A subtle but vital shift in US policy' |
The last round of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks broke down in 2014. | |
"We absolutely support the two-state solution but we are thinking out of the box as well," Ms Haley said on Thursday, "which is - what does it take to bring these two sides to the table? what do we need to have them agree on?" | |
She spoke out after UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned President Trump there was "no alternative" to a two-state solution. | |
Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a day earlier, Mr Trump promised to deliver a "great" peace deal for the Middle East. | |
But he said both sides must compromise and that it was ultimately up to them to decide how to settle the conflict. | |
"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." |
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 of statehood. | |
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: | Alternative concepts to a two-state solution: |
Reconsidering the 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. |
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. |
Regional media reaction: Refreshing or reckless? | Regional media reaction: Refreshing or reckless? |
In pro-Netanyahu Israeli daily Yisrael Hayom, Boaz Bismuth welcomes a "more refreshing era" in Washington, saying Mr Trump's comments show he is "good for the Jews." | In pro-Netanyahu Israeli daily Yisrael Hayom, Boaz Bismuth welcomes a "more refreshing era" in Washington, saying Mr Trump's comments show he is "good for the Jews." |
But Barack Ravid - in left-of-centre Ha'aretz - accuses Mr Trump of acting "recklessly" in apparently conflating the one-state and two-state plans. | |
Shimon Schiffer - in centrist Yedioth Aharonoth - makes a similar point, saying Trump adopted the "tone of someone for whom it is not really important whether he orders a portion or half a portion of falafel." | |
For the pro-Fatah Palestinian newspaper al-Quds, Mr Trump has shown he is close to Israel's position, and that the two-state solution has "withered". | For the pro-Fatah Palestinian newspaper al-Quds, Mr Trump has shown he is close to Israel's position, and that the two-state solution has "withered". |
In Gaza's Hamas-run Filastin daily, Fayez Abu-Shammala says it is "wonderful" that the White House has shown its "real position" rather than acting as "an enemy pretending to be a friend". He adds that the "time for resistance has come". | In Gaza's Hamas-run Filastin daily, Fayez Abu-Shammala says it is "wonderful" that the White House has shown its "real position" rather than acting as "an enemy pretending to be a friend". He adds that the "time for resistance has come". |
Meanwhile, Mr Trump's choice for America's next ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, faced repeated heckling at his confirmation hearing before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday. | |
He apologised for having likened left-wing American Jews to Jewish prisoners who worked for the Nazis during the Holocaust and pledged that in an official capacity he would tone down his language. | |
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: "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. |