President Trump declared his support for the Jewish state, he backs off the principle that the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian deal will come via a two-state solution. Instead, he referred to the possibility of an Arab-backed peace process, an idea that's been floating around since the beginning of this century.
Asked whether he was abandoning the idea of a two-state solution, Trump declared, "I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like." He also stated that both sides will have to make compromises. After that, turning to Netanyahu, Trump added a question: "You know that, right?"
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, speaking in Cairo, stressed that the Palestinians and Israelis must not abandon a commitment to a two-state solution. He added that there is no Plan B to the situation between Palestinians and Israelis but a two-state solution.
The PLO and Netanyahu give their opinions
The night before Netanyahu's arrival at the White House, administration officials have doubts on the two-state solution. PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) Executive Committee Member Hanan Ashrawi said that if Trump was trying to create alternative realities, then, Trump should spell out what the options are. A one-state solution would require equal rights and citizenship for all the people, unless he is advocating an apartheid state.
There are questions about whether a two-state solution is even possible because of Israel's continued settlement building, said Diana Buttu, a former spokeswoman for the PLO who now teaches at Harvard University. Since Trump became President, Israel has announced 6,000 new settlement homes and it has also legalized settler outposts in the West Bank.
Netanyahu declared that he wanted to avoid "labels" and talk substance: He believes that Palestinians have to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. Netanyahu also believes that Israel must have overriding security control.
