Bet on Trump or challenge Israel? Palestinians mull strategy
RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territory — After more than two decades of failures, Palestinians are increasingly questioning their leaders’ strategy of reaching statehood through negotiations with Israel.
A majority believes that the “two-state solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is no longer possible, despite pledges by President Donald Trump that he would try to broker a deal and a new round of Mideast meetings on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly this week.
Such skepticism largely stems from continued Israeli settlement in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, which some believe has passed the point of no return. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who in the past said he does not want to rule the Palestinians, recently declared that Israel cannot give up control over the West Bank.
Three senior Palestinian officials and a leading pollster explored Palestinian options.