White House suggests retreat from two-state solution is possible

What We’re Reading

White House: Mideast Peace May Not Be 2-State Solution,

The Trump administration suggested Tuesday that peace between the Israelis and Palestinians may not come in the form of a two-state solution — a position that could represent a dramatic shift from what has been U.S. policy for more than 20 years.

Trump’s ‘Outside-In’ Approach to Israel-Palestine Won’t Work Right Now,

“The Israeli-Palestinian conflict creates political limitations for Arab leaders, forcing most Arab-Israeli engagement into the shadows and significantly limiting what is possible,” writes Ilan Goldenberg.

Opinion: Trump must engage Palestinians,

“If Trump plans to work with Arab rather than the Palestinian leaders themselves, the road ahead will be a rocky one,” writes Daoud Kuttab.

Palestinians caution Trump against abandoning two-state concept,

Palestinians warned the United States on Wednesday against abandoning a two-state solution to the conflict with Israel after a White House official said peace did not necessarily have to entail Palestinian statehood.

CIA Chief Meets Palestinian President Abbas Ahead of Netanyahu-Trump Summit,

Palestinians heard reassuring messages about the two-state solution at the meeting. The things said at the meeting, the source added, were not in line with the statement later made by an anonymous White House official.

Dennis Ross: Trump likely to restore Bush-Sharon agreement on settlements,

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump are likely to agree on a return to the understandings their respective predecessors Ariel Sharon and George W. Bush reached on Israeli settlements, veteran peace negotiator Dennis Ross said.

Opinion: Why Netanyahu Might Miss Obama,

“The Israeli premier’s former American counterpart served as a useful foil and a predictable check on the Israeli right,” writes Adam Chandler.

Opinion: American Jews Are New Target of Israel's Unprecedented Escalation Against Civil Society,

“Given Netanyahu’s repression of dissent, perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised that Israel’s border control considered me a ‘national security risk,'” writes New Israel Fund VP Jennifer Gorovitz, who was detained upon entry to Israel.