Trump and Netanyahu waver on support for two-state solution in Middle East

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WASHINGTON — President Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House Wednesday for a series of meetings intended to "show there is no daylight" between the two leaders on a range of issues.

And that includes the so-called "two-state solution" that has been a hallmark of U.S. policy in the Middle East — and a source of friction between the Netanyahu government and Trump's predecessor, President Barack Obama.

Trump professed to be agnostic on the policy. "So I'm looking at two-state or the one-state," Trump said. "I was thinking for a while that the two-state was looking like the easier of the two."

He concluded that the matter is up to Israel and Palestine to decide. "I'm happy with the one they like best," he said.

The one-state solution would include Israelis and Palestinians in a single, secular country with equal citizenship. The two-state solution calls for a negotiated settlement leading to a Palestinian nation alongside Israel, and it was the U.S. policy under both the Bush and Obama administrations.

But with Trump stepping back, Netanyahu reasserted his position that a two-state solution can only happen under two conditions: The new Palestinian state must recognize Israel's legitimacy, and Israel must maintain security control of the West Bank.

Trump and Netanyahu waver on support for two-state solution in Middle East


"First, the Palestinians must recognize the Jewish state. They have to stop calling for Israel’s destruction. They have to stop educating their people for Israel’s destruction.

Second, in any peace agreement, Israel must retain the overriding security control over the entire area west of the Jordan River. Because if we don't, we know what will happen -- because otherwise we’ll get another radical Islamic terrorist state in the Palestinian areas exploding the peace, exploding the Middle East.

Now, unfortunately, the Palestinians vehemently reject both prerequisites for peace. First, they continue to call for Israel’s destruction -- inside their schools, inside their mosques, inside the textbooks.

They even deny, Mr. President, our historical connection to our homeland. And I suppose you have to ask yourself: Why do - - why are Jews called Jews? Well, the Chinese are called Chinese because they come from China. The Japanese are called Japanese because they come from Japan. Well, Jews are called Jews because they come from Judea. This is our ancestral homeland. Jews are not foreign colonialists in Judea.

So, unfortunately, the Palestinians not only deny the past, they also poison the present. They name public squares in honor of mass murderers who murdered Israelis, and I have to say also murdered Americans. They fund -- they pay monthly salaries to the families of murderers, like the family of the terrorist who killed Taylor Force, a wonderful young American, a West Point graduate, who was stabbed to death while visiting Israel.

So this is the source of the conflict -- the persistent Palestinian refusal to recognize the Jewish state in any boundary; this persistent rejection. That's the reason we don't have peace. Now, that has to change. I want it to change. Not only have I not abandoned these two prerequisites of peace; they've become even more important because of the rising tide of fanaticism that has swept the Middle East and has also, unfortunately, infected Palestinian society."

- PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU

READ FULL TRANSCRIPT: Trump and Netanyahu's joint press conference

Speaking to White House reporters, Trump officials declined to specify the administration's objectives for direct talks beyond the broad goal of peace. "A two-state solution that doesn't bring peace is not a goal that anybody wants to achieve," the official said. "Peace is the goal, whether it comes in the form of a two-state solution if that's what the parties want or something else, if that's what the parties want, we're going to help them."

"We're not going to dictate what the terms of peace will be," the official added.

Trump officials: Two-state solution not the only path to peace
 

dgiharris

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Watching that meeting with Trump and Netanyahu was painful and embarrassing.

To me, Trump came across as one of those smug ignorant types "pretending" to know what he is talking about but in reality knows absolutely nothing. He was all like, "One state solution, two state solution..." At first I liked the two state but then I think the one state could be fine as well... whichever one you two agree to I'll agree to it as well..."

Wow. That is some master Statesmanship. A decades long problem solved with a simple, "hey, which every solution you guys like best I'll agree to it and endorse it as well..." *roll eyes*

I couldn't help but remember all the times I encountered that type of persona throughout my lifetime, basically an intellectual conman. You know the type. You are in an important meeting discussing a huge complex problem... And there is always that one guy who is a black-belt kung fu master at "appearing" to add value and "appearing" to be part of the solution when the reality is he adds no value and detracts from the meeting and solution. Mainly, all he does is just parrot the comments of others and restates the problem in different ways as if he's offering a solution when in reality he is just repackaging the problem in business speak and sprinkling in the occasional buzz words...

The sad thing is though, most people miss it and most people fall for it. And to me, that was Trump in that meeting. Lots of big talk with nothing concrete behind it.
 
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Douger

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To me, a two state solution seems like a rotten deal for the Palestinians, with sovereignty having so little actual meaning in today's world. Israel could continue to abuse the Palestinians in exactly the same way they do now and the people would be forever cut off from any hope of being full fledged citizens in the land they call home.
I have a feeling, that Palestinian leadership want statehood because they would be in poll position to benefit from a gravy train of international aid, whereas under a single state solution, they would be fringe politicians within the Israeli political system with no hope for personal advancement.
 
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Watching that meeting with Trump and Netanyahu was painful and embarrassing.

To me, Trump came across as one of those smug ignorant types "pretending" to know what he is talking about but in reality knows absolutely nothing. He was all like, "One state solution, two state solution..." At first I liked the two state but then I think the one state could be fine as well... whichever one you two agree to I'll agree to it as well..."

Wow. That is some master Statesmanship. A decades long problem solved with a simple, "hey, which every solution you guys like best I'll agree to it and endorse it as well..." *roll eyes*

I couldn't help but remember all the times I encountered that type of persona throughout my lifetime, basically an intellectual conman. You know the type. You are in an important meeting discussing a huge complex problem... And there is always that one guy who is a black-belt kung fu master at "appearing" to add value and "appearing" to be part of the solution when the reality is he adds no value and detracts from the meeting and solution. Mainly, all he does is just parrot the comments of others and restates the problem in different ways as if he's offering a solution when in reality he is just repackaging the problem in business speak and sprinkling in the occasional buzz words...

The sad thing is though, most people miss it and most people fall for it. And to me, that was Trump in that meeting. Lots of big talk with nothing concrete behind it.
It seems that Jared Kushner will be serving as a main conduit for this peace deal.

"Mr. Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner has emerged as a quiet force in the Trump White House, serving as a main conduit for foreign contacts in Mexico, China and Canada, among others. But when it comes to Israel, the stakes are especially high, reports CBS News correspondent Jan Crawford. For Kushner, it’s also personal.

“If you can’t produce peace in the Middle East, nobody can,” Mr. Trump said to Kushner at a dinner on the eve of his inauguration in January.

Mr. Trump declared that Kushner could broker the “toughest deal in the world” – lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Critics point out that the 36-year-old businessman and husband of Ivanka Trump has no government or foreign policy experience. But Trump family friend and real estate mogul Thomas Barrack said that is an asset.

“So you take his mind, his ability, dedication, his focus … And on a fresh basis, without a preconceived notion, is actually better than someone who has been in foreign policy for 60 years,” Barrack said.

“Jared Kushner led the Mexican foreign minister into the Oval Office where they talked to President Trump and they advised him to tone down his rhetoric about Mexico,” Rucker said.

Mr. Trump did just that in a speech."

When it comes to Israel, stakes are high for Jared Kushner
 
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To me, a two state solution seems like a rotten deal for the Palestinians, with sovereignty having so little actual meaning in today's world. Israel could continue to abuse the Palestinians in exactly the same way they do now and the people would be forever cut off from any hope of being full fledged citizens in the land they call home.
I have a feeling, that Palestinian leadership want statehood because they would be in poll position to benefit from a gravy train of international aid, whereas under a single state solution, they would be fringe politicians within the Israeli political system with no hope for personal advancement.

Well if Palestine wants to live in peace and be full fledged citizens it might want to stop engaging in terrorism and stop putting terrorist groups that call for the destruction of Israel in charge. Groups like Hamas and Fatah that praise attacks on Israel. Palestine continues to use their schools and churches to recruit the next generation of terrorist.

Also Palestine should never be given statehood for a few reasons. First "Palestine" does not recognize Israel, so why should Israel recognize them? Second they are run by terrorist that call for the destruction of Israel. Not to mention in order to recognize a state, it must first exist in both geographical and political terms. That is, it must have a defined territory with internationally accepted borders and an established government that effectively runs that territory. This is not true of Palestine, where in reality we must talk about two governments and two territories: Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza. Also Jerusalem will always remain Israels capital and have a stronger claim to it. So it will not be given up. The United States among other countries do not recognize Palestine as a country.

Also as Christians we should support Israel not the people calling for their destruction.

Should Christians support the nation of Israel?
 
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dgiharris

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..."Mr. Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner... serving as a main conduit for foreign...“If you can’t produce peace in the Middle East, nobody can,” Mr. Trump said to Kushner at a dinner on the eve of his inauguration in January.

So his main qualification is being married to Trump's daughter and also being a good businessman?

I feel we as a country have made a false equivalency between business and politics. Business and politics are not the same thing. My thoughts are best captured by this venn Diagram I made :D

Trump%20BSP%20Venn_zpsxab6kbbt.jpg


How often in business do you knowingly and directly kill someone to make a deal? how often in business are you working with parties that want to actually kill each other? I'm not talking in terms of hyperbole or metaphors I'm talking reality-- they literally want to kill each other! SO this isn't some business deal, this is politics to the nth degree


...Critics point out that the 36-year-old businessman and husband of Ivanka Trump has no government or foreign policy experience. But Trump family friend and real estate mogul Thomas Barrack said that is an asset.

“So you take his mind, his ability, dedication, his focus … And on a fresh basis, without a preconceived notion, is actually better than someone who has been in foreign policy for 60 years,” Barrack said.
This is such an incredibly naive and ignorant position. We aren't talking about solving a crossword puzzle here, we are talking about a very complex and emotional issue in which countless lives have been lost. Walking in as a green newbie and saying, "Hey guys, what seems to be the problem, I'm sure we can come to some solution. I once brokered a really big $30 Million dollar deal so I'm sure I can help you guys out with your little problem here..."

I mean seriously?


....“Jared Kushner led the Mexican foreign minister into the Oval Office where they talked to President Trump and they advised him to tone down his rhetoric about Mexico,” Rucker said.

Mr. Trump did just that in a speech."
So convincing your Father in law to not be a moron on one phone call qualifies you to broker peace in the Middle East... okay got it. Gee, wonder why I was so worried. :doh:



No. The stakes are not high. If Jared fails, does he lose his house? Does he lose his ability to make money? Will he get divorced? Will his children die? Will his wife be blown up by a car bomb?

So please, the stakes are not high for him. If anything, the difficulty of his impossible task is so well known that no one would blame him in the least for being unable to accomplish it.
 
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Orthodoxjay1

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Let's see...no Democrat as President. Check.

Trump not dealing directly with Palestinians. Check.

Intifada in five, four, three...Check.

Sorry but the Palestinian Muslims have been waging a third Intifada, mainly in Jerusalem with these vehicle, and knife attacks for a while. This whole Mideast process is a waste of time. The Israeli's will never end their Jewish settlements that separate Palestinians from each other, crack down on these extremist price tag attacks, curtail the rise of Jewish Nationalism within their borders, and pull out of the West Bank, meanwhile the Muslim Palestinians will never stop firing rockets into Israel, accept a peace deal with Israel,(Arafat rejected in 2000, Abbas never accepted anything, Hamas & Islamic Jihad will never recognize Israel), stop the media, and mosque incitement calling for attacks on Jews, and won't disarm. Both sides are dug into their positions, due to fundamentalism in both societies at the moment. We should stop this scam of a so called "peace process", and make sure our interests reside in suppressing the Islamist movements, the protection of Israeli & Arab Christians, and having economic interests in the region.
 
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Douger

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Well if Palestine wants to live in peace and be full fledged citizens it might want to stop engaging in terrorism and stop putting terrorist groups that call for the destruction of Israel in charge. Groups like Hamas and Fatah that praise attacks on Israel. Palestine continues to use their schools and churches to recruit the next generation of terrorist.

Also Palestine should never be given statehood for a few reasons. First "Palestine" does not recognize Israel, so why should Israel recognize them? Second they are run by terrorist that call for the destruction of Israel. Not to mention in order to recognize a state, it must first exist in both geographical and political terms. That is, it must have a defined territory with internationally accepted borders and an established government that effectively runs that territory. This is not true of Palestine, where in reality we must talk about two governments and two territories: Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza. Also Jerusalem will always remain Israels capital and have a stronger claim to it. So it will not be given up. The United States among other countries do not recognize Palestine as a country.

Also as Christians we should support Israel not the people calling for their destruction.

Should Christians support the nation of Israel?
Oh as a Christian, I support Israel. But let's be clear, that's another topic. The country calling itself "Israel" over in the middle east, is just another country and Christians have no obligation to support their decisions as a matter of their Christianity. Now I do support them, and wish them the best, but they've been playing the antagonist in that region's problems since the 80's. It's imperative for their survival as a state for the Jewish people, that they radically change their behavior and attitude towards their neighbors. They are playing with fire with their belligerence and meddling in the affairs of neighbors. I don't see a bright future for Israel if they keep on this right wing religious extremist path.
 
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Nothing would change if they did that. And, of course, they have done that in the past only to have the Arabs remain just as determined to eradicate Israel.

Israel gave up Gaza and the Palestinians used it as a staging ground for rocket launches into Israel. They gave up the Sinai and, although the government of Egypt has moderated somewhat, most Egyptians still favor the destruction of Israel along with most of the rest of the Arabs nations, Iran, and Hamas, Hezbollah, etc. etc. who weren't mollified a bit by that concession.

When the anti-Israeli side insists that it wants the West Bank but that nothing will change them from intending to wipe Israel off the map, we know what the real prospects are for any two-state "solution."
 
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