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| Trump Aligns With Netanyahu on Palestinian Autonomy, Avoids Two-State Endorsement |
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked renewed debate over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict after sidestepping a direct answer on the viability of a two-state solution during a joint appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Instead, Trump ceded the floor to Netanyahu, who offered a pointed response that highlighted Israel’s security concerns over any future Palestinian state.
When asked directly by a journalist about his stance on the two-state solution — a long-debated proposal for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by establishing an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel — Trump turned to Netanyahu, saying, “I’ll let the Prime Minister speak to that.”
Netanyahu responded:
“I think Palestinians should have all the powers to govern themselves but never the powers to threaten us. That means that certain powers, like overall security, will always remain in our hands.”
A Familiar Stance Amid Renewed Scrutiny
The Prime Minister’s remarks reflect a longstanding position from his government, one that supports a form of limited Palestinian autonomy while insisting on Israeli control over critical aspects of national security — particularly in the West Bank and borders with Jordan.
Netanyahu’s comments echo sentiments from his previous terms in office and indicate a continued resistance to full Palestinian sovereignty, especially over military or territorial matters. Critics say this effectively nullifies the core of the two-state solution, which requires both parties to exist as independent and equal states.
Trump’s Continued Alignment with Israel
Trump’s deference to Netanyahu was seen by many as a reaffirmation of his close alignment with the Israeli leader, dating back to his administration's historic decisions, including moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. While Trump previously floated a peace plan in 2020 dubbed the “Deal of the Century,” it was widely rejected by Palestinian leaders who viewed it as heavily skewed toward Israeli interests.
In the current context, Trump’s refusal to elaborate on the two-state solution may signal that his views remain largely unchanged — or that he prefers to let Israel set the terms of any future agreement.
Palestinian Response and International Reaction
Palestinian officials quickly condemned the statement. A spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah said, “There can be no real peace without full sovereignty for the Palestinian people. Security cannot be a one-sided privilege.”
International observers also expressed concern. A European Union diplomat in Tel Aviv, speaking anonymously, said Netanyahu’s framing “reinforces a model of perpetual occupation under a different name.”
Human rights organizations have also criticized the Israeli government's approach, arguing that denying Palestinians control over their own security and borders amounts to long-term subjugation, not peaceful coexistence.
Implications for the Region
The exchange comes amid ongoing tensions in the West Bank, where Israeli military operations and settler violence have escalated in recent months. Meanwhile, U.S. efforts to broker broader regional normalization between Israel and Arab states, such as Saudi Arabia, continue — but remain fragile.
Analysts say that without meaningful progress on Palestinian statehood, regional stability will remain elusive.
“Autonomy without sovereignty is not a state. And occupation with a different name is still occupation,” said Dr. Hanan Al-Qassam, a political scientist at the University of Jordan.
Looking Ahead
With Trump widely expected to play a key role in the 2024 U.S. elections — whether as a candidate or kingmaker — his position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will likely be under fresh scrutiny. Netanyahu, emboldened by Trump’s stance, appears unwilling to shift from a hardline posture.
For now, the prospect of a genuine two-state solution appears as distant as ever, with sovereignty still a dividing line — not just between Israelis and Palestinians, but within the halls of global diplomacy.
Source: palestine info center