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One-State, Two-State Policy?
continued from page 5
S
eldom, if ever, has a world leader
uttered a more simplistic pro-
nouncement on any issue than
when President Donald Trump offered
his solution to the Palestinian-Israeli
conflict.
With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu standing at
a podium next to him,
Trump said: “So I’m
looking at two-state
and one-state, and I
like the one that both
parties like … I can
live with either one. I
thought for a while the
Berl Falbaum
two-state looked like
it may be the easier of
the two … if Israel and
the Palestinians are
happy, I’m happy with the one they like
the best.”
Netanyahu, violating sacrosanct dip-
lomatic protocol, could not keep from
laughing at the banality of this “solution.”
Obviously, if the two sides were able to
agree on either a one-state or two-state
solution, no third party would be needed
to assist the two in finding a solution.
The point is, Mr. President, the two
sides have not been able to agree for
about a century (depending on one’s
benchmark),
The position expressed by the presi-
dent could be one taken by any mediator
whether the issue involves international
politics or labor-management negotia-
tions.
Not finished yet, the president blind-
sided Netanyahu by adding, “As far as
settlements, I’d like to see you hold back
on settlements for a little bit.”
Then Trump stared at Netanyahu. For
about four seconds neither said any-
thing until Netanyahu, who appeared at
a loss for words, responded with what
sounded like, “Let’s try it.” (Some tran-
scripts said his response was inaudible.)
But, at least, Trump recognized
Netanyahu’s surprise, stating, that he
(Netanyahu) “doesn’t sound too optimis-
tic.”
The remark on a settlement freeze
contradicts Trump’s statement that he
does not care whether the conflict is
settled with a one- or two-state solution.
Why? Because the two-state solution
rests on the premise that settlement
construction takes land that might be a
part of a Palestinian state.
But a one-state resolution would not
require any land for Palestinians; thus, a
freeze would not be necessary. Trump, of
course, did not recognize this contradic-
tion.
To suggest that Trump’s first major
pronouncement on the Israeli-
Palestinian conflict is childish and
superficial is being kind. All who have
a stake in the dispute are probably
scratching their heads as to what Trump
meant.
A major question is whether Trump
understands what he said or whether he
discussed his view with anyone, i.e. the
U.N., the Saudis, other Arab countries or
European allies? The answer seems obvi-
ous: He did not.
CNN correspondent Fareed Zakaria
called Trump’s statement “amateur hour
… [the statement] makes no sense … [It
is] removed from reality …”
Some news reports said Trump aban-
doned the two-state solution while oth-
ers protested he did no such thing. Some
stated it reflected neutrality. Confusion
abounded.
If all this were not enough, the presi-
dent observed, “As with any successful
negotiation, both sides will have to make
compromises. You know that, right?”
Indeed, everyone does.
But we should not be surprised. After
all, this is the man who, during the cam-
paign, bragged that he was pro-Israel
and well-versed in Middle East politics,
citing as proof the fact: “I was the Grand
Marshal … of the Israeli Day Parade
down Fifth Avenue.”
On another incendiary issue, Trump
backed off his campaign promise to
move the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv to
Jerusalem, stating he is studying the
issue very carefully.
The infantile nature of Trump’s
Palestinian-Israeli “policy” became
even more evident when a day after the
Trump-Netanyahu press conference, U.S.
Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki
Haley said the president is “absolutely”
supportive of a two-state solution.
Apparently, she did not watch the
press conference. •
Berl Falbaum of West Bloomfield is a veteran jour-
nalist and author.
Judaism.
Temple Israel is a strong supporter
of the Jewish News, purchasing multiple
pages each week in the paper. This
allows the Jewish News to continue to
survive in an era of diminishing paper
news.
Ruth Aaronson
West Bloomfield
As a member of the largest Reform
Congregation in the U.S., Temple Israel,
I found your “oldie but goodie” about a
mezuzah for an Italian sports car very
insulting.
Our family has mezuzot throughout
our home, and our temple has them
throughout the building. This kind of
thinking further perpetuates that the
Orthodox community believes that if
you are Reform, you are not Jewish.
Many of us go to a minyan service every
day, many don tefillin every day, wear
kippot and build sukkot. You should be
ashamed of yourself for placing such an
offensive joke in your article.
Rick Feldman
West Bloomfield
Bibi’s Bluster
“Why are Jews called Jews? Well, the
Chinese are called Chinese because
they come from China. The Japanese
are called Japanese because they come
from Japan. Well, Jews are called Jews
because they come from Judea.” So
Benjamin Netanyahu posited during his
joint press conference with President
Trump.
He might want to be more precise
continued on page 8
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