Trump Refuses To Back Two-State Solution After Meeting With Netanyahu
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he would work to bring about peace between Israel and Palestinians, but it would be up to the parties themselves ultimately to reach an agreement.
“The United States will encourage a peace and really a great peace deal,” Trump said during a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“We will be working on it very, very diligently. But it is the parties themselves who must directly negotiate such an agreement,” Trump said.
Trump pointedly refused to endorse a two-state solution to the standoff, a bulwark of American policy for years. Netanyahu repeated familiar Israeli talking points that would prevent establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
“I’m looking at two-state and one-state and I like the one that both parties like. I’m very happy with the one that both parties like,” he said.
“I can live with either one. I thought for a while it looked like the two-state, looked like it may be the easier of the two, but honestly if Bibi and if the Palestinians if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I’m happy with the one they like the best,” Trump said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.
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