TRUMP ASKS NETANYAHU TO 'HOLD BACK' ON SETTLEMENT CONSTRUCTION
Feb 15, 2017
By Bob Komsic
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Two days after Canada’s prime minister paid U.S. President Donald Trump a visit, it was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s turn.
(Kevin Lamarque / Reuters)
Trump urged the Israeli leader to hold back on settlements in the West Bank ”for a little bit.”
Netanyahu later insisted settlements were ”not the core of the conflict” and made no commitment to reduce construction.
During a joint news conference, Trump was asked if he backed a two-state solution to peace in the Middle East.
He suggested he’d go along with whatever Israel and the Palestinians might decide.
“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.”
But a senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization does not like the possibility Washington might be changing its decades old, two-state solution tune.
”If the Trump administration rejects this policy it would be destroying the chances for peace and undermining American interests, standing and credibility abroad.”