Trump, Meeting With Netanyahu, Backs Away From Palestinian State
Source: New York Times
WASHINGTON President Trump said on Wednesday that the United States would no longer insist on a Palestinian state as part of a peace accord between Israel and the Palestinians, backing away from a policy that has underpinned Americas role in Middle East peacemaking since the Clinton administration.
Im looking at two states and one state, Mr. Trump said, appearing in a joint news conference at the White House with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. I like the one that both parties like. I can live with either one.
Mr. Trumps comments were a striking departure from decades of diplomatic orthodoxy, and they raised a host of thorny questions about the viability of his position. The Palestinians are highly unlikely to accept anything short of a sovereign state, and a single Israeli state encompassing the Palestinians would either become undemocratic or no longer Jewish, given the faster growth rate of the Arab population. Mr. Trump did not address these dynamics, preferring to focus on his confidence that he could produce a breakthrough agreement. I think were going to make a deal, Mr. Trump said, describing that as personally important to him. It might be a better deal than people in this room understand.
. . . .
Mr. Trump also used the news conference to again lash out at the nations intelligence agencies, saying that his former national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, had been brought down by illegal leaks to the news media. His comments came on a day of new disclosures about Mr. Flynns dealings with Russia during and after the presidential campaign. Mr. Trump demanded his security advisers resignation, officials said.
From intelligence, papers are being leaked, things are being leaked, Mr. Trump said. Its a criminal action, criminal act, and its been going on for a long time before me, but now its really going on. And people are trying to cover up for a terrible loss that the Democrats had under Hillary Clinton.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/15/world/middleeast/benjamin-netanyahu-israel-trump.html?
Turbineguy
(37,412 posts)wanted to be in office when a final peace solution was achieved. It's become almost a guaranteed "Greatest President Ever" award. And Trump needs it and is desperate.
MBS
(9,688 posts)- especially by Carter, Clinton, Obama, Kerry - the latest of which was blocked by Netanyahu - it would be grossly undeserved for any kind of final accord to be achieved on Trump's and Netanyahu's watch. It also seems to me highly improbable, given the two leaders in question.
but Trump's already spent the glory.
karynnj
(59,510 posts)Start with the Kerry proposal that many Arab countries backed in Paris earlier this month. The details got little coverage other than Netanyahu going crazy, but they included recognizing Israel as a Jewish state.
As to Trump getting credit, if he can get Netanyahu to agree and the Palestinians to agree, he will deserve it. However, that is not the direction he is going. His answer to'day read like the BS answers written on a test you forgot to study for.
Every negotiator has said that everyone basically knows the solution, but neither side has the courage to take the risk to get there. At this point, it may be impossible given the RW leaning Israeli government now. I doubt either he or Jared have a fraction of the diplomatic skill needed even if chances were better. Not to mention, given the people he chose, there is no way to be an honest broker. In fact, I suspect if an agreement is negotiated, it might be via France or possibly the UN - especially if Livni really gets a UN position as has been proposed.
former9thward
(32,136 posts)lark
(23,191 posts)He is, unfortunately, currently the head of state and Liar In Chief. Intelligence agents are trying to save America, but Repugs are determined to let the traitor destroy our constitution, security and even world security just so they can stay in power. They are craven hypocrites, traitors and total liars as well. This is not only not normal, neither will it end well at all for 99% of the world.
samnsara
(17,658 posts)...how long can the GOP stand to be embarrassed by this man? He's using this opportunity to Hillary bash?? Good freaking' gawd!!!
ailsagirl
(22,907 posts)FreeStateDemocrat
(2,654 posts)I wonder how many in the Arab world will now be pushed over to the dark-side by this ignorant policy reversal?
ailsagirl
(22,907 posts)Behind the Aegis
(54,053 posts)Just another example of an idiot who doesn't know the least bit about his job as president. I am sure this is a delight to Islamophobes and anti-Semites throughout the political realm.
MBS
(9,688 posts)Response to Behind the Aegis (Reply #8)
MBS This message was self-deleted by its author.