Netanyahu says Trump election has not changed 2-state goal

JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his support for a two-state solution with the Palestinians remains the same after Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election.

Trump’s election has encouraged Israeli hardliners to call on Netanyahu to step up Israeli settlement construction, annex parts of the occupied West Bank or even abandon the idea of Palestinian independence.

But in a satellite interview to the Saban Forum at the Brookings Institution in Washington on Sunday, Netanyahu said his position on “two states for two peoples” hasn’t changed.

The international community widely supports a two-state solution. Trump has not yet laid out his Mideast policy.

The Palestinians have accused Netanyahu of undermining two-state hopes by building settlements. Netanyahu said the Palestinians must recognize Israel as the homeland of the Jews.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.