Visiting the Mideast, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken reiterates support for the two-state solution, even as its prospects seem to be vanishing.
Maisoon Ali, a Palestinian banker, has a message for visiting U.S Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.
Blinken, wrapping up a three-day visit to the Middle East on Tuesday, met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and other officials in the West Bank city of Ramallah, a day after extended consultations with Israel’s prime minister, president and foreign minister.
Years of failed, occasionally bad-faith negotiations, interspersed with periods of violence from both sides, have only achieved a modicum of sovereignty for Palestinians while Israel continued to permit tens of thousands of Jewish settlers to move into West Bank lands claimed by the Palestinians. The heavily guarded Israeli settlements have effectively made creating a contiguous state next to impossible.
Opinion polls have shown support for the two-state vision declining steadily among Palestinians, reflecting frustration and a sense that a viable state will never happen. Instead, many Palestinians now support the so-called one-state solution, a single country with both Israelis and Palestinians but, importantly, one with equal rights for both communities. At the same time, a majority doubts Israel would ever grant such liberties to Palestinians.
It was the lowest level of support for the concept among Palestinians and Israelis since the poll was first conducted in June 2016, the head of the center, Khalil Shikaki, said in a statement announcing the survey.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Israeli troops fatally shoot Palestinian driver in the West BankIsraeli troops kill a 26-year-old Palestinian driver in the northern West Bank city of Hebron - amid one of the conflict’s deadliest phases in years
Read more »
Blinken visit reaches new urgency as Israeli, Palestinian tensions boil | CNNUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip to Israel and the West Bank may have been in the works for weeks, but it couldn't come at a more pressing time. Both Palestinians and Israelis have suffered bloodshed in the last few days, and fears are growing that the situation will spiral out of control.
Read more »
Blinken visit deepens Israeli and Palestinian skepticism about U.S. roleU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is promoting the long-held dream of two states side by side — one Israeli, one Palestinian — as the best guarantor of peace.
Read more »
Israeli-Palestinian rising violence tests US as Blinken visits regionUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Israel and the occupied West Bank, focusing on “de-escalation” after a deadly Israeli military raid in Jenin set off violent confrontations with Palestinians.
Read more »
Blinken urges Israel-Palestinian calm as violence soarsU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is urging Israel and the Palestinians to exercise restraint and ease tensions amid a spike in violence that has put the region on edge
Read more »