President Trump said he would be happy with any solution that both sides can agree upon, also if it would result in a one-state solution. “So, 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. I can live with either one. I thought for a while 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,” said Trump.
The statement by President Trump disheartened the Palestinian leadership, whom long aspired an independent Palestinian state. Palestinian officials warned President Trump against abandoning their aspired solution to the decades old conflict, a reality which Palestinian Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat stressed would not be accepted in the 21st century. “Those who believe that they can undermine the two-state solution and replace it with what I call one state, two systems – maintaining the status quo now, apartheid – I don’t think in the 21st century they will get away with it,” said Erekat.
Prime Minister Netanyahu committed, with conditions, to the two-state solution in a speech in 2009 and has broadly reiterated that aim since. But he has also spoken of a “state minus” option, suggesting he could offer the Palestinians deep-seated autonomy and the trappings of statehood without full sovereignty. The second option is one that is gaining more support among Israeli right-wing lawmakers, who warn of the significant dangers that might follow the establishment of a Palestinian state, pointing to the raging chaos in the Middle East. Knesset Member Harel Margalit, however, who aspires to replace Netanyahu as Prime Minister, stressed that most Israelis still want a two-state solution, and that he does not believe Washington would change its position on the matter.
“The Americans, essentially, will not change their approach. They are for two- state solution, most of the Israelis are for two-state solution and most of the Palestinians are for two states. It is time for new ideas, it is time for new energy, it is time for new leadership here in Israel and in the region, that would take the two-state solution concept and would make it something about what people have to gain and not only what they have to give up,” said Margalit.