Netanyahu to insist ‘Palestinian state is a waste of time'

Israeli sources have reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will tell US President Donald Trump “not to waste time” on a Palestinian state.

Netanyahu will meet Trump, later today, for the first time since the president took office.

According to Israeli newspaper Arutz Sheva, Netanyahu will explain to Trump that the Palestinian state “lacks practical feasibility”.

The election of Trump was greeted with optimism in Israel. During his campaign, he pledged to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied city.

His appointment of hardline pro-settlers in key positions within his administration also raised concerns about the future of a Palestinian state.

Read: Israeli minister claims Netanyahu and Trump to discuss Palestinian state in Sinai and Gaza

Separately, the Times of Israel, citing senior US officials, mentioned that the new US administration will not “dictate terms” to Netanyahu.

It’s believed that Washington will continue to seek to broker a peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians, but that a two-state solution may not necessarily be the framework, which the new administration will insist on.

Quoting a senior White House official, it reported: “A two-state solution that doesn’t bring peace is not our goal.”

Also read: Rabbis believe Trump will fulfil Torah prophecies, says ex-minister

The official, who was said to be briefing reporters yesterday, continued: “Peace is the goal. Whether it comes in the form of a two-state solution, if that’s what the parties want, or something else, if that’s what the parties want, we’re going to help them.”

“We’re not going to dictate what the terms of peace will be,” added the White House official.