Palestinian, Israeli officials slam Trump's two-states comment
Trump's statement endorsing a two-state solution causes a stir; PLO ambassador: 'Trump's statements contradict his actions, his policy is destroying any chance for peace'; Bennett: 'as long as the Bayit Yehudi Party is part of Israel’s Government, there will not be a Palestinian state.'
For the first time since taking office, Trump endorsed a two-state solution as the best way to resolve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, as he met Wednesday at the UN with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The spokesman for Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, issued a statement saying that "the road to peace requires a two-state solution, a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital. This is the Arab and international position."
In addition, the Palestinian envoy to the US Husam Zomlot, who was expelled from the US following the US decision to shut down the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) office in Washington, slammed Trump's remarks.
"Trump's statements contradict his actions. His policy is destroying any chance for peace," the Palestinian ambassador said.
According to Zomlot, Trump's statements at his meeting with Netanyahu "are not enough to not bring the Palestinians back to the negotiating table."
Meanwhile, Minister Bennett made it clear that his party strongly opposes the two-state solution.
"The President of the US is a true friend of Israel. However, it is must be emphasized that as long as the Bayit Yehudi Party is part of Israel’s Government, there will not be a Palestinian state which would be a disaster for Israel," Bennett asserted.
Opposition leader Tzipi Livni also addressed Trump's remarks: "I welcome Trump's statement…The commitment of the United States to Israel's security, and its support for the two-state solution are important for our future."
Trumps' remarks shed light on the possible basis of a long-awaited peace initiative to be launched by the US administration between Israel and the Palestinians.
"I like a two state solution. That's what I think works best ... That's my feeling," said Trump, and added that the US stands "with Israel 100%.”
According to Trump, the embassy move would actually help peace efforts by recognizing the reality that Israel identifies Jerusalem as its capital. But, he added that Israel would have to make concessions to the Palestinians in any negotiations.
"Israel got the first chip and it's a big one," Trump said. "By taking off the table the embassy moving to Jerusalem, that was always the primary ingredient as to why deals couldn't get done. Now that's off the table. Now, that will also mean that Israel will have to do something that is good for the other side."
Trump also said he wanted to unveil a peace plan in the next two to three months.
"It is a dream of mine to get that done prior to the end of my first term. I don't want to do it in my second term. We'll do other things in my second term. I think a lot of progress has been made. I think that Israel wants to do something and I think that the Palestinians actually want to do something," Trump concluded.
Netanyahu thanked Trump for his support and for his decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, adding that US-Israel relations have never been better than under this administration.
On Tuesday, Trump attacked Iran in his annual address to the UN General Assembly, accusing its leaders of corruption and spreading chaos throughout the Middle East and beyond. He also vowed to continue to impose sanctions on Iran.
"Thank you for your strong words yesterday in the General Assembly against the corrupt terrorist regime in Iran. They back up your strong words and strong actions," Netanyahu said in response.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
