JUNK STATUS Trump approves two-state deal
US LEADER DOES ABOUT-TURN ON POLICY
US President Donald Trump likes the concept of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, expressing his preference on the issue this week for the first time since sparking international criticism for appearing to back away from the longstanding bedrock of Middle East policy.
But Trump stopped short of reasserting a US commitment to eventual Palestinian statehood and, instead said again he would be “satisfied with whatever makes both parties happy”.
Trump’s comments put a new twist on a statement he made at a February 15 joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting that his administration would no longer insist on the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
It could also send a signal that the principle that has long underpinned US-led peace diplomacy will not be discarded if the Trump administration moves forward with an initiative to restart longstalled peace efforts.
A one-state solution would be problematic for both sides. One concept would be two systems for two peoples, which many Palestinians would see as apartheid and endless occupation. A second version would mean equal rights for all, including for Palestinians in an annexed West Bank, but that would compromise Israel’s Jewish character. –